On Sunday, a water safety event was held in a Penrith village to mark Drowning Prevention Week.
The free event was held at Jenkins Field, Glenridding and included live demonstrations of CPR and life-saving skills.
It was a collaboration between Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Westmorland and Furness Council, GLL, North West Ambulance Service, and local community responders.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service group manager for prevention and protection said Scott Cameron: “We can all help to prevent lives being lost to drowning by teaching more people in our communities what to do before blue-light services arrive at a water rescue.
“People can have confidence that emergency services will always respond when they are needed, but it can take time to reach a casualty in water, particularly in more remote parts of our county."
The location for the event held a certain weight as three people drowned there in 2006.
Quite appositely, firefighters were mobilised during the event to a water rescue at the River Greta in Keswick, where they used a throw line to rescue a casualty from the water.
At the event, essential water safety advice was given to the public, including the ‘Float to Live’ instruction and ‘Phone, Float, Throw’ guidance if someone else is struggling in water.
Family-friendly activities were provided, such as water safety themed activity sheets and badge making.
Awareness was raised of the perils of cold water shock, which poses a real danger - even on hot days.
North West Ambulance Service community resuscitation engagement officer Megan Stephenson said: “Cold water shock can affect anyone, even the strongest swimmers.
"Rivers, reservoirs and lakes may appear calm but can also conceal hidden currents, sudden drops and significant temperature changes."
Westmorland and Furness Council Eden local focus hub Manager Rich Scoffham said: “I hope that by raising this awareness of a few simple key principles, we can have a positive effect and help save lives.”
Drowning Prevention Week is an annual water safety campaign designed to educate children and young adults in water safety and lifesaving skills, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society UK.
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