“Float to Live” – that’s the simple message from Nottinghamshire Police’s Underwater Search Team to anyone who finds themselves struggling in open water.
Team members, who are tasked with recovering the bodies of people who have drowned, are joining emergency service colleagues in sharing this message on National Drowning Prevention Day (25 July).
Float to Live is a lifesaving RNLI campaign that teaches a simple survival technique for people who get into difficulty in open water:
– Don’t panic or swim hard.
– Instead, float on your back to control your breathing and stay alive until help arrives or you can self-rescue.
The vital advice is based on research showing many drownings happen due to cold water shock and panic, rather than a lack of swimming ability.
Inspector Tim Ringer, who has responsibility for the underwater team, said:
“Over the years, our divers have had the very sombre task of recovering the bodies of dozens of people who have drowned in our waterways.
“Some of those people may have been competent swimmers in a controlled environment, but the many hazards of open water can claim the life of anyone.
“Chief among those is cold water shock, which causes people entering the water to gasp uncontrollably and panic. That can lead to the inhalation of water and may even trigger underlying health issues, such as heart conditions.
“That’s why we support the Float to Live message – because, by doing so, people who find themselves struggling in the water can regain their composure until their breathing settles and help can arrive.”
While offering full support for the Float to Live campaign, officers are also keen to reinforce the most important message of all – that nobody should jump into the River Trent, local canals or lakes, regardless of how hot the weather is.
With that in mind, parents, in particular, are being urged to educate their children about the risks.
PC Stephen Craner, an experienced diver with the underwater team, made a particular plea to young people:
“The water we operate in is always extremely cold, no matter how hot it feels outside.
“Also, what may look inviting on the surface will very often have multiple hazards lurking just below the water – including hidden objects and reeds that can quickly cause people to become entangled.
“So, no matter how strong a swimmer you think you are, and no matter how much your mates are egging you on, please take a moment to think twice and avoid the temptation to jump in.
“Because the very last thing we want to do this summer is recover another young person from the water.”
