BETTER Dorcan Recreation Complex Makes Waves Supporting National Drowning Prevention Campaign

A selection of year 6 Children from Covingham Park Primary School, Swindon, were making a splash when they took part in a free water safety event run by BETTER Dorcan Recreation Complex as part of the National Drowning Prevention Week campaign.

Using activities and resources provided by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (the UK’s national water safety and drowning prevention charity), Dorcan Recreation Complex ran a fun and interactive water safety session during Drowning Prevention Week. The session a Water Safety discussion with Lifeguard Jake Ketcher, a Pool to Pond taster session provided by Jason Tait of South West Swim and a Personal Survival/Rookie Lifeguard taster session provided by RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Trainer Cheryl Pottinger.

Drowning Prevention Week, the national campaign run by RLSS UK, took place this year from 16 – 26 June, with an aim to cut down the 400 accidental drownings that occur every year in the UK. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children in the UK, with latest stats showing 51 under 10s lost their life over the last five years.

The Drowning Prevention Week campaign aims to ensure everyone knows how to have fun and stay safe near water. Leisure centres, schools, businesses and communities engage in water safety education, using a variety of free and flexible resources, produced by the RLSS UK.

Cheryl Pottinger, BETTER Swindon Product and Community Manager, said: “Around 400 people drown in the UK each year, and hundreds more have near-drowning experiences, often resulting in life changing injuries.

“We are happy to support the RLSS UK in reducing these numbers by informing people about how to be safe near water, while offering what we think will be really fun activities for the children.”

Di Steer, Chief Executive for RLSS UK, said: “We want as many children as possible to sign up to these fun events and learn, what could be potentially lifesaving skills. We thank Dorcan Recreation Complex for getting involved with our charity’s campaign and helping to give children the skills they need to stay safe while enjoying the water”.

For more information on Drowning Prevention Week: Visit our website at www.rlss.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter - @RLSSUK

Visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RLSSUK

Let us know what you are doing for Drowning Prevention Week by tweeting @RLSSUK using the hashtags #DPW or #STOPDROWNING.

Call – 0300 323 0096