Greg Gives Backing to Drowning Prevention Week

This week, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the national charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland, brought its ‘Drowning Prevention Week’ campaign to Westminster.

East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight joined the RLSS UK CEO and Charity Director Lee Heard, lifeguards, Olympian Professor Greg Whyte OBE, Paralympian Ellie Robinson MBE, and other Parliamentarians to discuss the importance of spreading water safety awareness, as well as what practical steps can be taken to address the issue.

At the event, Sir Greg saw this guidance first-hand, including how to use throw safety  lines, how to respect bodies of water, and also checked out the cutting-edge equipment that is now being used to keep our shorelines and lakes safer than ever.

The RLSS UK also showed the MP the charity’s brand-new animation aimed at educating parents and their children about water safety and ensuring that families can enjoy the water safely this summer. 

The figures show that, tragically, over 400 people die every year in the UK from accidental drowning, yet every drowning is avoidable. Of those who drown, some 40% had no intention of entering the water in the first place. Yet people should continue to feel free to enjoy the water, as with the correct education and awareness, this can be done safely.

Drowning Prevention Week encourages the public to be ready to enjoy being in, on, or around water this summer by ensuring that they and their families have a good understanding of water safety. 

Sir Greg said: “We need to heed the message of Drowning Prevention Week, particularly in a tourist area like East Yorkshire. During the summer months of June, July and August, when people are on holidays, the most fatalities occur.  It is vitally important that everyone understands water safety so that they can enjoy the summer and be in and around water, safe in the knowledge that they, and their children, have the skills and understanding about water safety, which could potentially save a life.”

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “It is fantastic to have Sir Greg Knight supporting our Drowning Prevention Week campaign and highlighting the issues surrounding water safety.”