With the warm weather encouraging us outdoors, as the temperature rises so does the death toll from accidental drowning, as people take risks in an attempt to cool off. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is asking the general public for help while we’re all out and about.
Using the iconic image of a perry buoy life ring, as featured in their logo and also doubling as the Society’s mascot Perry Buoy – the ‘Keep ‘em peeled for Perry’ project encourages members of the public to be on the look-out for lifesaving equipment when they’re out and about.
Fencing, life rings, throw lines, signage – these are just some of the public rescue equipment (PRE) and safety features regularly seen next to bodies of water and waterways right across the UK.
The RLSS UK would like to hear from people about the PRE they’ve spotted:
- Where were you (canal, river, lake, quarry, seaside)?
- What PRE did you see?
- Is it fit for purpose (intact, not vandalised)?
- Is there something missing that you think could save a life (life ring, throw line, better signage)?
Adrian Lole, RLSS UK Technical Director explains:
“More people die from accidental drowning in the UK than they do from road cycling accidents and house fires* – ensuring the public has ready access to functioning lifesaving equipment, should be a real priority in the UK, where so much of our great outdoors includes being near bodies of water.
“In the first instance, we want to build a comprehensive picture of what equipment is available for the public to use, where it can be found and what state it’s in. This is what ‘keep ‘em peeled’ means.
“Over time, this will help steer our conversations about PRE and water safety with our partners and through future collaborations.
“No-one wants to lose a loved one to the water and as the temperatures start to rise, PRE has a vital role to play in ensuring the numbers of people losing their lives in the water, doesn’t do the same.”
As the overall picture of what is being done well and what could be done better starts to form, RLSS UK aim to engage with local authorities, land owners, construction companies and service providers, to recommend and advise on water safety measures.
Can You ‘Keep ‘Em Peeled For Perry’?
Next time you’re next to, in or on water, take look around and see what PRE or water safety measures you can see, then drop them a line including the following information:
- Your name
- Contact details (email and ‘phone)
- Location name
- A location photo
- Public or private land (if known)
- Have they notified anyone previously (if so, who?)
Title your email ‘Keep ‘em peeled for Perry’ and then send all the details to: report@rlss.org.uk
For more information on RLSS UK consultancy services and water safety advice:
www.rlss.org.uk/Pages/Category/consultancy-services
Visit website at rlss.org.uk
Follow on Twitter – @RLSSUK
Visit Facebook page – facebook.com/RLSSUK
Call – 0300 323 0096
*Whilst there are occasional anomalies, the Office for National Statistics data reflects this general trend.
