18/11/2021
Both as an individual and through my job in the emergency services, I have been involved in rescue missions for more than two decades.
Those experiences of trying to save lives, which on some occasions have been unsuccessful, have led me to reflect on the perspective of those who lose a loved one. Some people undertake fundraising, some lean more towards getting involved in support groups and others try to raise awareness to prevent further deaths.
The above is true of people who have lost someone special in a fire, on the road or as a result of drowning.
Irrespective of the nature of the tragedy, it’s important to try to offer timely and appropriate support to those who are expressing a desire to volunteer. In some instances that’s ensuring they are aware of some of the fantastic bereavement support charities that are out there. In some cases it is necessary to prepare families for the inquest and inform them about the process. Inquests can drag on for many months or even years and can be daunting, particularly if you have little experience of court rooms.
There are many ways that bereaved individuals and families can help us as safety professionals. Here are some examples:
- Lobbying for change in legislation, establishing petitions, driving policy change or fundraising to improve the safety of a location. We have seen this with water safety in particular, where campaigning has led to improved barriers, lighting or signage in locations where there has been more than one tragedy. Other bereaved families and individuals have worked to change laws, on issues such as parental bereavement leave.
- Getting involved in research, enrolling for academic study or being employed by organisations involved in life-saving.
- Volunteering directly for one of the emergency services and contributing to education programmes run by safety organisations.
- Engaging in grief support work such as giving talks and providing workshops to help others who are going through the process of living with loss.
- Speaking to young people and children in schools, colleges and organisations such as the Scouts in order to promote safety messages.
There are some really important factors for professionals to consider when working with bereaved people who are supporting their work:
- Are they ready? Too soon is too soon. Taking on volunteer work before a funeral or an inquest may hinder the process of grieving. Organisations should have a process for sitting down with individuals and asking questions to assess risk to the newly bereaved. Some of this will involve broaching sensitive topics relating to physical and mental wellbeing.
- Setting expectations: After many years I know that bereaved families and individuals invariably want things to change quickly. It is vital to manage expectations, because often achieving changes in the law or policy resembles a marathon not a sprint. We need to be clear about what is possible from the outset of working with a bereaved family or individual. Failure to do so may cause further anguish.
- Managing the media: Engaging with the media can be a powerful way to share safety messages. However, always be aware that journalists want to get clicks, sell papers and secure hard-hitting interviews. This means that some journalists will not have a bereaved person’s best interests at heart. If possible, try to arrange some training for volunteers before any media appearances.
- Social media: Sadly, stories about fatal accidents can also attract negative attention from the public, especially when they are shared on social media. Over the years I have read vile comments posted anonymously and seemingly with no concern about the impact they may have. If we are working with bereaved families, we need to make them aware of the potential for a negative response.
- Passion versus professional limitation: Those at the front line of rescue missions are dealing with deaths and serious incidents on a regular basis. As a result of this, we know that the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is high among emergency service employees. So it is also important for organisations that appoint people to work with bereaved families and individuals to offer support to their staff.
- Moving on: Over time, some bereaved people will want to move on from volunteering or perhaps reduce their level of involvement due to changes in their circumstances. It is important not to make assumptions and check in with volunteers before approaching them to be involved in a campaign or event. Some may feel awkward about stepping away from or stopping volunteer work completely. Volunteer co-ordinators should have a system in place to review a volunteer's work and assess their needs. Look out for the signs that a bereaved person wants to move on and respect their wishes when they do.
- Anniversaries and life occasions: Bereaved families may want to mark dates that are significant to their loss such as birthdays and anniversaries. Organisations should be sensitive to these dates if families are volunteering with them.
- Litigation: Some bereaved people may be involved with pursuing compensation or legal recourse for negligence or lack of health and safety procedures after an accidental death. This will always be stressful and careful thought should be given to engaging volunteers to do community safety work during a criminal or civil case.
- Safeguarding and vetting: There are legislative requirements for safeguarding if using volunteers to work with children or vulnerable adults. These checks are there to protect individuals and organisations in the event of an allegation or incident.
This list provides some pointers to consider, to ensure that families, volunteers and organisations are mindful about the way they support each other. Organisations such as the NCVO and The Charity Commission have helpful guidance to help organisations who work with volunteers to ensure positive and valued relationships.
Dawn Whittaker
Chair
National Water Safety Forum
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26/10/2021
Help us to deliver a new, world-class, platform to assist in our efforts to reduce drowning and water-related harm across the UK.
We need a technical project manager to lead a team of engineers, data scientists, expert users and developers to deliver our new platform over the next 12 months.
We are at the mid-way point in the UK’s inaugural 10-year national drowning prevention strategy. Our collective ambition is to realise a 50% reduction in accidental drowning deaths by 2026. At the heart of the strategy are our collective injury data insights, centred on the Water
Incident Database (WAID), a jointly held registration system hosted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and members of the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF).
You will be an experienced project manager with a deep understanding of technology, a track record of delivering platforms and data related solutions.
You will need to be comfortable working in a complex, multi-organisation environment, have an aptitude for working closely with both service users and senior leaders, and an ability to understand and meet diverse stakeholders’ needs. You will be able to translate these insights into the necessary deliverables and work packages.
We have recently completed a proof-of-concept exercise, and have a good understanding of our data model and architecture, clear views on preferred technologies, and an agreed governance stance, including our intention to deliver open data from the platform.
This project is sponsored by the NWSF, a network of more than 50 national organisations, including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, UK Fire and Rescue Services, RoSPA, RLSS UK, sport governing bodies, local authorities, and major land and waterway owners. The NWSF is hosted by RoSPA.
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract. The successful candidate may have to undertake basic security vetting and will be employed by RoSPA. The role is predominantly home based, with occasional travel to cities within the UK. Interviews will be held w.c 12th November with a decision shortly thereafter.
We envisage a salary in the range of £75,000 p.a.
No agencies.
Please visit candidate.rospacareers.com/152271LIN for more details and to apply for this role. For an informal discussion or more information, please contact Jenny James, Head of Human Resources, or David Walker, Head of Road and Leisure Safety.
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03/09/2021
Message from the Chair
This summer has been historic for the National Water Safety Forum.
Following a UN General Assembly resolution passed in April 2021, the first-ever World Drowning Prevention Day was held on Sunday July 25. Around the world, individuals and organisations came together to share a simple yet powerful message ‘anyone can drown, but no one should’. This was truly a milestone for all those who are working towards a future without drowning.
Tragically, we also saw a spike in accidental drownings during the UK heatwave earlier this summer. As temperatures started to soar on Friday July 16, sadly so did the number water-related incidents. We will not know the full extent of the loss of life during the heatwave until we publish the WAID report next year. However, we do know that in this period we were seeing roughly double the average number of water-related incidents we would expect to see in a ‘normal’ year.
With extreme weather events possibly here to stay, it is vital that members of the National Water Safety Forum learn the lessons from this summer and double down on our efforts to reduce the number of accidental drownings.
On World Drowning Prevention Day, NWSF members demonstrated how we can have greater impact when we speak with one voice. We will carry forward that energy and unity of purpose to our ongoing Respect the Water Campaign.
We achieve so much more together.
Until next time,
Dawn Whittaker
Chair of the National Water Safety Forum.
World Drowning Prevention Day
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| For the first time in its 75 year history, the United Nations (UN) has adopted a resolution on drowning prevention. As part of the resolution, July 25th has been designated as World Drowning Prevention Day. |
Over a five day period, in the run up to World Drowning Prevention Day, more than 38,000 impressions were clocked up on the NWSF twitter account alone. Many NSWF member organisations and individuals shared messages and assets relating to World Drowning Prevention Day on their own channels.
In Scotland, The Kelpies, 30ft horse-head structures, were lit up in blue to mark this historical moment (see below). A number of national and regional outlets covered the awareness-raising day including: The Scotsman, The Telegraph & Argus and Falkirk Herald.
Commenting on the first World Drowning Prevention Day, Dawn Whittaker, NWSF Chair said: “I know I speak for all members of the National Water Safety Forum when I say that I welcome the UN resolution on drowning prevention and this new awareness-raising day which is all the more poignant because of the recent spike in accidental drownings during the heatwave in July.
"I look forward to seeing the impact of World Drowning Prevention Day in the years to come.”
Ministerial Round Table
In July, members of the National Water Safety Forum attended a roundtable discussion with UK Government Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, Robert Courts MP.
The meeting was convened during ‘Maritime Safety Week’ in order to discuss the UN resolution on drowning prevention, swimming lessons in schools and the latest Water Incident Database (WAID) report. The discussion focused on the work of the National Water Safety Forum and representations were made about drowning prevention at the highest levels of government.
Emergency Services Day
Emergency Services Day (also known as 999 Day) is a national day across the UK that is supported by HM The Queen and is held annually on September 9.
#999Day highlights the work of the emergency services, promotes using the emergency services responsibly, educates the public about basic lifesaving skills, and advertises the many career and volunteering opportunities available with the services.
The National Water Safety Forum is encouraging members to support 999 day by sharing messages on their social media channels.
Later this month, The Royal Life Saving Society will be launching their #BeAMate campaign, which encourages smart decision making whilst intoxicated around water. The campaign targets individuals to be responsible for their friends, if they have had too much to drink.
To coincide the start of autumn term at some UK universities, the #BeAMate campaign will run from September 19-26 and will resume on December 6- 12 as the Christmas party season begins. |
Save The Date: RoSPA Water Safety Conference Nov 18
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The RoSPA Water Safety Conference 2021 will be held online on the November 18 and will focus on current developments in water Safety in specific reference to the recent UN Resolution on drowning prevention and how the UK can work towards meeting this challenge.
Through a global, national and local lens, the conference will focus on examples of research, partnership working, collaboration and the future for water safety and drowning prevention in the UK. |
Parliamentary Debate on Water Safety
On Monday 12 July 2021, Catherine McKinnell MP, led an UK Parliament E-petition debate relating to water safety to seek an enhancement to the current statutory requirement for water safety delivery in England.
The petition, signed by more than 100,000 people, called for improvements to water safety education in schools and was launched led by ‘Doing It For Dylan’ campaigner, Rebecca Ramsey MBE.
At the conclusion of the debate the Minister of State for School Standards, Nick Gibb, made a commitment to open dialogue with the water safety sector and the NWSF. NWSF colleagues have been proactively working on a proposal to move the conversation forward.
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26/07/2021
National Water Safety Forum welcomes UN’s Drowning Prevention Day
The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), a network of more than 50 organisations who work together in order to reduce water-related deaths and associated harm in the UK, welcomes the first World Drowning Prevention Day which will be marked on Sunday, July 25.
World Drowning Prevention Day was instigated following a UN General Assembly resolution passed in April 2021, which affirmed the fact that drowning is preventable, and stresses the need for member states to have a coordinated response. The awareness day will be held annually on July 25.
According to figures compiled by the World Health Organisation, globally, an estimated 235,600 people drown every year, and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years around the world.
Commenting on the eve of the first World Drowning Prevention Day, Dawn Whittaker, NWSF chair, said: “Tomorrow, individuals and organisations from across the globe will be marking the first World Drowning Prevention Day and speaking with one voice to say that anyone can drown, but no one should.
I know I speak for all members of the National Water Safety Forum when I say that I welcome the UN resolution on drowning prevention and this new awareness-raising day which is all the more poignant because of the recent spike in accidental drownings during the hot weather this month. I look forward to seeing the impact of World Drowning Prevention Day in the years to come.”
The latest figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the NWSF, show that in 2020 there were 254 accidental drownings and 631 total water-related fatalities in the UK.
Last year, almost half (43 per cent) of those who accidentally drowned had no intention to enter the water, with causes including slips, trips and falls, being cut off by the tide, or being swept in by waves. Inland open waters, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries continue to be the leading locations for accidental drowning with 58 per cent of incidents taking place in these settings.
The UK has a drowning prevention strategy, with equivalents for Wales, and Scotland, which aims to reduce accidental drowning fatalities as well as contributing to the reduction of water-based suicide. The strategy was produced by members of the National Water Safety Forum including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Carlene McAvoy, leisure safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said: “Since the launch of the National Drowning Prevention Strategy in 2016, great strides have been made towards to reducing fatal water incidents in the UK. However, 254 people accidentally drowned last year which demonstrates there is still a lot more work to be done.
“RoSPA will continue to support the National Water Safety Forum and combine our efforts to help keep people safe on, and near, the water through the ‘Respect the Water’ campaign. World Drowning Prevention Day provides an unmissable opportunity to share life-saving water safety messages, but also gives us the chance to reflect on the progress made to reduce the number of accidental drownings in the UK, as well as allowing us to consider what further action needs to be taken.
The public are also reminded to ‘float to live’ if they find themselves getting into trouble in the water and to follow these steps: lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999. If you are at the seaside ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.”
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21/07/2021
Sunday July 25 2021.
Write it down on your calendar.
Put it in your phone.
This coming Sunday, individuals and organisations from across the globe will be marking the first ‘World Drowning Prevention Day’ and sharing the simple yet powerful message that anyone can drown, no on one should.
World Drowning Prevention Day was declared as part of UN General Assembly resolution passed in April 2021, which affirmed the fact that drowning is preventable and stresses the need for member states to have a coordinated response.
The Resolution requests all 193 Member States of the United Nations to do the following:
- Appoint a national focal point for drowning prevention
- Develop a national drowning prevention plan
- Develop drowning prevention programming in line with the WHO’s recommendations
- Ensure enactment and effective enforcement of water safety laws
- Encourage the registration of drowning deaths
- Promote drowning prevention public awareness
This global advocacy event will serve as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities all over the world and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. An estimated 235,600 people drown every year and drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children aged 5-14 years. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.
Specifically in the UK, progress has already been made in drowning prevention through work with the National Water Safety Forum, Water Safety Scotland and Water Safety Wales. The UK has a drowning prevention strategy (with devolved equivalents) which aims to reduce accidental drowning fatalities as well as contributing to the reduction of water-based suicide.
The NWSF wholeheartedly supports World Drowning Prevention Day and we will be encouraging all our members to get involved.
World Drowning Prevention Day will be held annually on July 25 and I look forward to seeing the impact that this awareness-raising initiative will have both in UK and overseas.
Dawn Whittaker
Chair
National Water Safety Forum
To find out more about World Drowning Prevention Day head here.
Help share the message by downloading our World Drowning Prevention Day social media assets and our list of suggested messages
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