how can we stop our citizens from drowning?

M0nica

When our children used an inflatable on the beach we always had it firmly anchored to a long strong rope and checked the fastenings - and then sat and watched them.

They could play around and had enough rope to play all kind of games - and we knew they were safe.

But then DH was a marine surveyor and spent a lot of his working life on and around the sea in small boats and knew all the dangers.

Ditto.

When our children used an inflatable on the beach we always had it firmly anchored to a long strong rope and checked the fastenings - and then sat and watched them.

They could play around and had enough rope to play all kind of games - and we knew they were safe.

But then DH was a marine surveyor and spent a lot of his working life on and around the sea in small boats and knew all the dangers.

Oldfrill and even with guidelines children have been wsshed off waterfalls and canoes while on school trips since the 1980s.

I think the way forwsrd is to inform inform inform by whstever means. I am sure 99% of us, even though we were not there, know now that if a tide goes out suddenly for no reason, run for high ground the other way. Don't hang about taking photos.

And there are loads of Youtube films showing what a rip tide is.

Relations volunteering on inshore liifeboats have said that on rescuing children blown out to sea on flimsy inflatables they used to puncture the inflatable to stop it being used again as some parents are not the brightest.

M0nica

Casdon

Here are some figures. Men are apparently much more likely to drown than women, at any age, although there has been a lot of focus on teenagers on this thread.
www.thewirh.com/blog/uk-statistics-age#:~:text=23%25%20of%20UK%20drowning%20fatalities,by%20those%20aged%2055%2D59.

Casdon I think most adult male drownings arise from their occupations, fishing, of all kinds, is a predominantly male occupation, as is all forms of work offshore and there are other occupations where water is a kep part of the working environment.

I think drownings that result from it being an occupational hazard should be separated out from other causes, which will primarily be leisure related because the actions that can be instigated to reduce the numbers will be very different, and the number of occupational deaths and the age group these fall into can swamp any concrens about younger people drowning.

Macadia But we wear seatbelts in a car when it is moving. We do not necessarily wear them when just sitting in a stationary car.

It’s not work related fishing to blame for the high numbers Monica, I just checked.
‘ In 2022/23, a total of 27 people were killed as a result of fishing-related activities in Great Britain. This number includes fatalities in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. It's important to note that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report, which covers this data, is for the financial year April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.’ (AI overview).
It appears to be down to recreational activities in the main,

The Cornwall incident in the 1980s resulted in National Guidelines for School trips.

Years ago 30 + several youngish children were washed off rocks by large waves in west Cornwall. Could have been Lands End. They were part of a group of school children on a school holiday trip. They were allowed to play on the rocks by their Headmaster. Probably they were all from an inner city school who were unaware of the dangers of tides and currents. The power of large waves. The headmaster should have been aware. The children died.
I dont know what the answer is. Youngsters have run about on beaches unaware of the tide rising behind them or jumped into what they thought were shallow pools on the sand which turned out to be deep. Young people swimming near piers, jumping off piers thr list goes on.
The question OP posed was how to stop this or reduce the number of times it happens.
Up to date public information films shown at cinemas, schools, TikTok if that's possible. It could help.
It's always surprising how few fishermen on fishing trawlers seem to have worn buoyancy aids when fatalities are reported.
At the very least this post has reminded us all of the dangers. I come from the seaside and remember playing with friends on steps at the end of the harbour arm. Steps which were wave washed and slippy. So I am not holier than than thou.

I don’t know!

Better education about lakes, rivers and seas? Who knows!

As we live very close to the coast all of our children were taught to swim and “sea sense”, in much the same way as “road sense”

Casdon

Here are some figures. Men are apparently much more likely to drown than women, at any age, although there has been a lot of focus on teenagers on this thread.
www.thewirh.com/blog/uk-statistics-age#:~:text=23%25%20of%20UK%20drowning%20fatalities,by%20those%20aged%2055%2D59.

Casdon I think most adult male drownings arise from their occupations, fishing, of all kinds, is a predominantly male occupation, as is all forms of work offshore and there are other occupations where water is a kep part of the working environment.

I think drownings that result from it being an occupational hazard should be separated out from other causes, which will primarily be leisure related because the actions that can be instigated to reduce the numbers will be very different, and the number of occupational deaths and the age group these fall into can swamp any concrens about younger people drowning.

Macadia But we wear seatbelts in a car when it is moving. We do not necessarily wear them when just sitting in a stationary car.

Macadia

I think it only applies to under 18s (not sure) but, yes, ridiculously, you would have to wear it while walking to town or going to seaside.

Most of the drownings I have read about, the victims were known as strong swimmers.

I looked up the law in the US that I was trying to remember and it said it only applies to children under 12 and only when the child is 5 ft from shore. So, no M0nica - I was confused. Again.

Children above 12 and adults are not protected. They are the ones who drown.

A thought: We all wear seatbelts, regardless of age.

The thing with drowning is it is so quick and so silent. I remember when one of ours was around 4 years old at the beach she was playing in a rock pool which we thought was safe because it wasn’t very deep. We were chatting to some friends and the next minute she had disappeared under the water. No cries or anything. We pulled her out quickly and she was shocked and coughing up water. Split second event but it taught us you cannot let attention drift where young ones are concerned.

Does anyone remember the really scary video they used to show about the dangers lurking in the water? I think it was in black and white, and while it might have put some children off swimming for life, it may have saved a few lives. It wouldn't hurt if they started showing it again.

OldFrill

The local lifeboat regularly gets called out to paddle boarders/kayakers/inflatables that have been blown out to sea because the user doesn't understand winds and tides. Often no lifejackets, even on children.
Witness the lack of lifejackets all the time, should be mandatory and enforced for children on any craft on water.

Yes - I always shudder when I see inflatable paddleboards in the centre aisle at Lidl. Because you know that some idiots are going to buy one and then set out to seat with minimal safety equipment.

It seems to be a main theme of that TV programme about Lifeboats

Astitchintime

There are several quarry lakes in our area which have always attracted people in warmer weather. It doesn’t seem to matter how well fenced off they are, people will always find a way in. Even the life saving rings strategically installed around each location have been systematically vandalised or stolen.
My AC and all my GC were taught to swim to a high standard when they were very young but they all acknowledge that everyone, regardless of their capabilities in the water, can get into difficulties, this was conveyed to them by swimming instructors.
On a hot day, a river or a lake of cooling water can look appealing for a refreshing dip but sadly there’s always that person who thinks it won’t happen to them.

Yes very true, and a lot of boys and young men relish a challenge and just don’t think they will drown.In spite of warnings it’s always happened and will continue to happen.
It may help if public information films were made along the lines of ones made in the past about climbing electricity pylons.
Impress young kids about water dangers before they get older and dismissive about it. Even then it may not work.

fancythat

^ accidents where someone slips or a child falls into a river or pond despite the vigilance of a nearby parent.^

I often see one parent or member of a family group, being vigilant, against another parent or member, who has not been.

It can happen to the best of parents.
Or perhaps we just weren't very good at parenting.

OldFrill

The local lifeboat regularly gets called out to paddle boarders/kayakers/inflatables that have been blown out to sea because the user doesn't understand winds and tides. Often no lifejackets, even on children.
Witness the lack of lifejackets all the time, should be mandatory and enforced for children on any craft on water.

Yes, it’s been mentioned more than once on the RNLI TV progs. that paddleboard rescues have soared in recent years.

There are several quarry lakes in our area which have always attracted people in warmer weather. It doesn’t seem to matter how well fenced off they are, people will always find a way in. Even the life saving rings strategically installed around each location have been systematically vandalised or stolen.
My AC and all my GC were taught to swim to a high standard when they were very young but they all acknowledge that everyone, regardless of their capabilities in the water, can get into difficulties, this was conveyed to them by swimming instructors.
On a hot day, a river or a lake of cooling water can look appealing for a refreshing dip but sadly there’s always that person who thinks it won’t happen to them.

The local lifeboat regularly gets called out to paddle boarders/kayakers/inflatables that have been blown out to sea because the user doesn't understand winds and tides. Often no lifejackets, even on children.
Witness the lack of lifejackets all the time, should be mandatory and enforced for children on any craft on water.

Here are some figures. Men are apparently much more likely to drown than women, at any age, although there has been a lot of focus on teenagers on this thread.
www.thewirh.com/blog/uk-statistics-age#:~:text=23%25%20of%20UK%20drowning%20fatalities,by%20those%20aged%2055%2D59.

DD is a wild swimmer. Wild swimmers, have a whole set of protocols around getting into the water, acclimatising to the cold water and then what to do as soon as they get out.

She swims with a group, again swimming as a group is also part of the safety that surrounds it. If people who swim in lakes and rivers all year round, rather than just now and again, have so many protocols, surrounding keeping their members safe, it is a warning to those inclined to leap into lakes and rivers at random.

The RNLI puts individual water safety on the front page of its web site. Its warnings on cold water shock and what to do and 'floating to live' should be essential learning for all teenagers.

Nowadays you have the added risk factor of parents on e.g. a beach, or sitting by a pool, who are supposed to be watching their children, but are glued to their phones.

^ accidents where someone slips or a child falls into a river or pond despite the vigilance of a nearby parent.^

I often see one parent or member of a family group, being vigilant, against another parent or member, who has not been.

I don’t think you’re right about attributing drownings to young people now not getting the consequences of risk David49, I’m surprised that you don’t remember any drownings of your generation. A boy in my class drowned swimming when I was 9, and two little sisters drowned a couple of years later in the river near me. It’s always happened.

There wouldnt be a second chance in the scenarios I see.

From the recklessness I see at coasts and quaysides, I am constantly surprised that there are not a whole lot more.

we learned from the scrapes we got into.
There's a lot of truth in that. Except that water is such a deadly force, there's usually no second chance.