School

Water Safety

Resources

Schools should use the resources in this pack to provide knowledge

of water safety to pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2.

Spring 2012

Additional information and worksheets are available.

Please contact the Aquatic Development Officer on 01492 575561 or

email nofio.swimming@conwy.gov.uk for more information.

Water Safety Code

1. SPOT THE DANGERS!

Water may look safe, but is can be dangerous. Learn to

spot and keep away from dangers. You may swim well in a

warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be

able to swim in cold outdoor water.

2. TAKE SAFETY ADVICE!

Special flags and notices may warn you of danger. Know

what the signs mean and do what they tell you.

3. DON’T GO ALONE!

Children should always go with an adult, not by

themselves. An adult can point out dangers or help if

somebody gets into trouble.

4. LEARN HOW TO HELP!

You may be able to help yourself and others if you know

what to do in an emergency. If you see someone in

difficulty, tell somebody, preferably a Lifeguard if there

is one nearby, or go to the nearest telephone, dial 999,

or 112 off a mobile phone and ask for the Police at inland

water sites and the Coastguard at the beach.

Drowning Prevention

The Aims of Water Prevention:

Water Safety education should aim to prevent accidental drowning by teaching

children at Key Stage 1 and 2 about the dangers that they may encounter around

water in their home, swimming pool and open water environments such as rivers, lakes

and the sea. Children must be made aware that even a good swimmer can get into

difficulty in open water. They should be taught to assess and apply the principles of

water safety both in the classroom and these should be reinforced in the swimming

pool during school lessons. Breaking the ‘Drowning Chain’:

There are several key events that contribute to the ‘Drowning Chain’, and by ensuring

that children have knowledge and awareness we are able to ‘Break the Drowning Chain’

and prevent a fatality:

1. Having the ability to recognise and avoid dangerous situations as a result of water safety education and information.

2. Denying or restricting children access to hazardous areas. 3. Providing information signs 4. Competent supervision 5. Acquiring personal survival skills, including the ability to swim 6. The availability of rescuers and rescue equipment.

Effective water safety education is the key to preventing accidental drowning.

The Dangers of Cold Water Immersion

Immersion in cold water is known to be a major factor in most drownings in British

Waters. This applies throughout the year as sea temperatures rarely rise above 15°C and in winter fall to 5°C or below. In very cold water (around 5°C), even strong swimmers are unable to keep afloat for more than a few minutes. This is because ‘cold

shock’ brings about rapid breathing, which leads to difficulty in co-ordinating

breathing with swimming.

Lightweight everyday clothing can substantially reduce heat loss by preventing the

continuous movement of cold water around the body.

If you find yourself in cold water:

• Keep Calm.

• Float on your back and adopt the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture)

position which will prevent the loss of body heat (see below).

• If there is more than one of you, adopt the HUDDLE position to retain body

heat communally (see below).

• Hold on to support or float quietly facing away from the waves to prevent the

water splashing your face.

• Do not swim unless you are forced to do so to keep afloat or get clear of

danger.

• Do not try to swim to the shore, unless you are a very good swimmers and the

shore is within a reasonable distance e.g. 200metres in cold water, 50 metres

in very cold water.

• Do not move more than is absolutely necessary.

• Do not attempt to exercise to keep warm.

• Do not remove clothing, except for items that weigh you down e.g. heavy coats

or wellington boots.

• Try to keep your head above water. Intermittent submersion of the head will

increase heat loss.

• Keep your legs together.

Child Accidental Drowning 2005 ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)

• 435 people drowned in 2005.

• 234 occurred in inland waters

• Majority fell into water and were unable to help themselves

• 31 drowned whilst swimming

• 24 intentionally got into the water for other reasons, including activities such

as rescuing others, jumping, diving, swimming, paddle or play.

Of these 435 accidental drownings, 39 were children aged 0-14.

Of these 39 children, 27 (69%) were male and 12 (31%) were female.

Beach Safety

Can you list 6 dangers?

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Garden Safety

Can you list 6 dangers?

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Home Safety

Can you list 6 dangers?

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Lake Safety

Can you list 6 dangers?

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Swimming Pool Safety

Can you list 6 dangers?

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Basic Rescues

Water Safety Code Point 4 - ‘Learn how to help’

Although children should be taught to seek the assistance of an adult, they may have

to attempt a rescue themselves. It is essential therefore that they understand that

entering the water to attempt a rescue places them at great risk and should be

avoided.

Teachers and classroom assistants are able to teach basic land based rescues within

the classroom or school hall.

Children should be taught to Reach, Throw Do Not Go.

Shout and Signal Rescue This is the safest form of rescue as it relies on the use of voice and hand signals to

instruct and encourage the casualty to make his/her own way to safety.

Teaching Points • Attract the attention of the casualty by shouting and signalling / waving

• Using your voice and hand signals instruct the casualty:

o Do NOT panic

o Breathe!

o Keep your hands in the water, do a figure of 8 with your hands, palms

down

o Feel for the floor with your foot

o If you can stand – walk slowly to the side

o If you can’t stand – do a cycling action with your legs and doggy paddle

with your arms to swim to the side.

o Direct them to a safe place to climb out

• Once they are safely out of the water keep them warm and get help.

Reach Rescue A reach rescue is effective and safe for the rescuer. Reach rescues should always be

considered first in any water-based emergency when the casualty is near the edge.

Teaching Points • Use a rigid aid, such as golf club, walking

stick, strong branch, if you do not have

anything similar use something non-rigid,

clothing, towel, or belt.

• Lie flat on your stomach

• Reach for the casualty and tell them to

climb up the item.

If you have no aids you can still carry out a reaching rescue:

• Lie flat on your stomach, with your chest on firm ground (to prevent you from

being pulled in to the water). If there is another person on the side with you

they can hold onto your ankles.

• Reach for the casualty with your hand

• Grab their wrist and help pull them to the side.

Throwing Rescues A throwing rescue should be used when the casualty is too far away to reach by other

means.

Teaching Points: Using buoyant aids such as a ball, life ring,

plastic drinks container or rope:

• Throw accurately to the casualty

• When practising gradually increase the

distance thrown.

Recue Aids

1. Put a circle round the items below that would help someone stay afloat

2. Colour in the items that could be used to throw to, or reach someone that was in difficulties.

Survival Techniques

Boat Capsized

You have fallen out of this boat. Write a story about how you could save yourself.