This week’s campaign from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) to reduce drowning is the most relevant for coastal communities. I talked to them with Amber Rudd, whose Hastings constituency has seen a few tragic deaths of residents. In most cases they didn’t know how to swim properly and underestimated the strength of the sea, however close to beaches.
But there are also dangers by rivers and especially by deep canals. The Sharpness - Gloucester canal IS dangerous, and its proximity to the thriving food and beverage venues of the Quays means that constituents and visitors need to be aware of this.
At least three people have died in the Canal over the last few years: there have also been recent incidents where drinkers have e.g. chucked life belts into the water for no purpose - weakening safety help for anyone who accidentally does fall in. So I believe we need to have a discussion on what we can all do to help reduce risk, and I will invite the RLSS to visit and discuss with key Gloucester organisations what more we can do.
Meanwhile I hope you will all follow the advice from their latest campaign here: https://rlss.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/dont-drink-drown/
