IN PICTURES: Hampton Court hosts emergency services for World Drowning Prevention Day
By Oliver Monk
28th Jul 2024 | Local News
Waterborne emergency services gathered at Hampton Court Palace on Thursday 25 July to help raise awareness of their work keeping people safe on Britain's waterways and coastline.
London Fire Brigade (LFB), RNLI, HM Coastguard, and Surrey Fire and Rescue all attended the event, which saw demonstrations of lifesaving techniques and technologies out on the River Thames nearby.
The agencies coordinated their community outreach to coincide with World Drowning Prevention Day.
Visitors from Hampton Court Palace were invited to take part in several family-friendly activities, with dozens of children and adults alike lining up to try their hand at using a throw line or throw bag – a tool used in place of typical life preservers to help pull struggling swimmers back to shore.
Attendees could also be seen receiving tours of the two fire engines parked outside the palace, while others tried their best to don coastguard equipment as fast as possible in a simulated emergency scenario.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner of LFB, Paul Askew, said the event was a continuation of previous interagency cooperation "to identify some of the safety concerns around the use of the river, and encourage people to use it safely".
Deputy Askew explained how the emergency services are advocating for "a very common-sense approach" to using the River Thames, suggesting measures like: "Going in designated swimming areas, being in groups making sure you understand where you are in the river and understanding the dangers of where you are."
He added: "I think we've seen a worrying trend, particularly around the River Thames, around casualties – and sadly deaths."
Members of both LFB and RNLI expressed particular concerns towards young river users. Eighty percent of drownings are teenagers, while one LFB spokesperson told Nub News that teenage boys are "one of the most likely groups to sadly drown in the River Thames".
However, Miranda Jaggers, a water safety officer from Teddington Lifeboat Station, shared how "locally, the RNLI has noticed an increase in the number of girls and young women who are in need of rescue that are suffering from mental health issues, and it's a very worrying trend".
Organisers were therefore pleased to see a large number of younger attendees at the event, along with several LFB cadets who were there to assist. "They're fantastic, they help out with so many events," said Deputy Askew.
Several of the agencies in attendance provide water safety advice, both for individuals and for helping parents keep their children safe.
The RNLI's advice can be found here, while similar guidance can be found on LFB's website here.
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