Help fund local lifesavers without spending a penny!

How you can help fund a local lifesaving team, and it won't cost you a penny!

We all love doing things for charity and this season of giving you could help set up Wales only Surf Lifesaving GB Water Rescue Team without delving deep into your own bank account.

Dyfed Water Rescue Team is a new unit is being set up to respond to incidents of flooding across the UK as well as respond more locally to water based emergencies at inland water sites, supporting the existing emergency services by adding a third sector team of highly trained search and rescue professionals, funded entirely by voluntary donations.

The team is currently fundraising to support their set up and fund vital training and equipment needed to make their team members operational.

The team has been nominated by the Galaxy Hot Chocolate fund and needs votes to secure the funding.  So simply putting it, if you follow this link and vote, you will be helping the team raise the vital funds needed to get this essential unit up and running.

Thank you,

https://www.galaxyhotchocolate.com/fund/profiles/dyfed-water-rescue-team/

Festive posters from Rookies

This week our team were presented with this amazing festive lifesaving picture by two of our rookies.

Isn't it awesome?

Since summer, our rookies have been busy learning how to stay safe and how to help someone in difficulty in the water.  A fundamental part of this message was the SAFE code.  A simple anagram used to remember what you need to do to be safe around all bodies of water.

Spot the dangers - look for dangers and avoid them.

Advise taken - take advise from the lifegaurd, staff and signs.

Friends with you - always swim with someone else.

Emergency! Dial 999/112 for help

Festive SAFE code

Along with all the other vital water safety, lifesaving and self  rescue skills our education program promote this festive period we asked our 1 Formula Fitness Rookie Lifesavers to come up with their very own festive themed SAFE Code posters.

Bellows poster was submitted by Lilly, one of our 1 formula fitness rookie lifesavers. Well done Lilly.

It is our hope that this festive illustration will help promote the vital lifesaving message throughout this Christmas period so thank you for reading and please, share with your friends.

Parents Vs Rookie

As many of you probably know we've been working alongside 1 Formula Fitness to deliver a Rookie Lifesaving project where our team of lifeguard trainers regularly host sessions and deliver water safety education, through sport to local 6-8 year olds.

Well this week we teamed up with other teams from across the local area to host the first ever 1 Formula Fitness Parents Vs Rookies event where our freshly trained Rookies would take on their parents to see who knew the most about water safety and who would fair best while performing basic life saving skills such as calling for help or supporting a casualty.

First of all I'd like to start by saying a massive thank you to our panel of expert judges who supported this event and offered an interesting insight into the activities our contestants were performing.  These judges include Dyfed Water Rescue Team, Red Kite SAR consultancy and Merlin First Aid Services alongside Water Safety Europe staff.

From a community engagement point of view the idea of Parents Vs Rookies was a massive success.  We always bombard young people with the safety messages; however it is often the parents who make the decisions and getting a parent to attend a water safety program often proves tricky.  So how did this event differ?  Well as usual the Rookies underwent 6 weeks of open water safety training where they learned all about safety around water as well as a few basic life saving skills this was then tested by competing against their parents; an idea the Rookies loved.  The parents were invited to come along and get involved in the pre-planned event and our staff would set a number of challenges to test both the rookies and parents understanding. The results were interesting.  Although the parents had a basic understanding of the issues and solutions surrounding water safety, they weren't aware of many of the items the rookies had been studying.  So partaking in such an event really helped hit home the core water safety messages to both child and adult.

So as you can see, engaging the parents in your sessions, even just now and again can really have a profound impact on community education projects and will go a long way to protecting young people and their families to getting into difficulty in our water.

Cold water shock

The effects of cold water shock are responsible for the deaths of many victims of drowning in the UK every year.

We all know that water conducts heat away from our bodies four times faster than air, meaning as soon as you enter the water, you are at risk of getting cold or hypothermic.  But what is cold water shock and how does it effect us?

Cold water shock can be described as the physical effects of entering cold water and can be observed from temperatures as moderate as 25°c and research has shown that cold water shock can be accountable for a number of strong swimmers who drown in the UK every year.  This is largely due to the victims struggle to maintain a clear airway during hyperventilation, their inability to operate their extremities and the effect of the heart.

What are the stages;

1. Initial immersion responses – Cold shock response (0–3mins)

 Immediately after immersion in cold water, rapid cooling of the skin causes a number of instinctive and reactions including gasping, hyperventilation, restriction of blood flows, and panic.

2. Short term responses – Loss of performance (3–30mins)

 Following the cold shock response, the hands, feet, arms and legs start to cool and blood flow continues to be restricted. This causes a decrease in muscle strength and endurance leading to muscle fatigue and reduced control over body movements. If the casualty is unable to get out of the water or use a buoyancy aid, this will ultimately result in drowning.

3. Long term responses – Hypothermia (30mins+)

 Over time, significant heat lost causes the core body temperature to drop leading to hypothermia.

Protecting myself;

• Avoid sudden entry into water
• When boating, wear correct PPE including a lifejacket
•  When surfing, wear a wetsuit and slowly walk into the sea
• If planning event, consider how to reduce the risk to competitors

• 
  

Beach Safe this summer

Written by a lifeguard

Already this summer is looking like a busy one on the coast with multiple emergencies already taking place on UK beaches despite the fact schools have only just broke up.

Every year emergency services respond to thousands of incidents on the UK coast, but a huge percentage of these incidents could have been avoided with a little bit of knowledge and extra care.  So if you are heading to the coast this summer, be informed about the dangers and follow these simple tips.

In 2015, emergency services helped more that 26,000 people on the UK coast while lifeguards aided more than 18,000 individuals in difficulty on some of the UK's busiest beaches.  Most of the people they helped were children and the most common type of incident, counting of all ages, involved rip currents.  A rip current, or rip as it's known, is a current that flows out to sea and can occur at any

beach with waves meaning most of the UK is susceptible.  In fact rips account for approximately 80% of surf rescues worldwide and are the leading cause of rescue.  Rips can be both common and unpredictable in their nature.  Some beaches regularly get rips forming in the same location and therefore are generally easily avoided.  However, some rips can also be temporary, unpredictable and move causing mass rescues to occur within their short life span.  This is why lifeguards provide safe swim zones (red and yellow flags).  These don't only represent the safest part of the beach to swim at but also enables the lifeguard service to concentrate the majority of its assets meaning if you were to get into trouble you are likely to be spotted and rescued much quicker.

TOP TIPS FOR BEACH GOERS

1. Swim at a beach patrolled by lifeguards:

This is probably the single most important message currently being repeated across the globe.  This is because you are far less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach not to mention the immediate availability of services such as first aid and basic advice.

But it's not just a case of visiting a lifeguarded beach to stay safe.  Once there you must find and use the red-and-yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them as this is the safest part of the beach thanks to the lifeguard patrols presence. 

Not all beaches have lifeguards.  To find your nearest lifeguarded beach during the summer visit; http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

Last year more that 15 million people visited a lifeguarded beach in the UK

2. Look for information and follow advice

Find out about the beach before you visit and don't forget to check the weather and tide times, this can usually done online.  Ask at the local tourist information centre or use the Good Beach Guide website to find out about facilities.

When you arrive at the beach, read and obey the safety signs.  These will provide you with more information, help you identify hazards and advise you of the safest place to swim.

3. Never swim alone

Swimming alone is dangerous.  Should something happen to you there is no-one immediately on hand to support you or raise the alarm.  Whenever you go swimming, take a friend and always let someone on shore know where you are going and how long you will be.

4. If you get in trouble in the sea ...

Stay calm and do not panic.  Raise one arm in the air and signal for/shout for help.  This way you are easily recognisable by the lifeguards and or members of the public but not waiting vital energy needed to stay afloat.

5. If you see someone else in trouble...

Tell the lifeguard immediately.  If you cannot find a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.  Avoid entering the water to rescue the person as you too could become a casualty.

6. Never use inflatable's in strong winds

Inflatable's are a lifeguards worse nightmare.  Typically operated by small children these lightweight toys are easily blown away in even a slight breeze that regularly ends in the toy and the occupier being swept out to sea very quickly.  If your inflatable drifts out to sea, and is unoccupied, do not attempt to swim after it as you will never catch it up.  Simply leave it and find the nearest lifeguard and report it to them.

When there is little or no wind, only use inflatables between the red-and-yellow flags and closely supervise their use.

7. Supervise children

Always keep an eye on your children and agree a meeting point when you arrive at the beach, in case you are separated.  Make use of beaches 'Lost children wrist band schemes' and if you do lose your child report it to the lifeguards immediately.

8. Never drink and swim

Alcohol slows your reactions and impair your judgment and makes you more susceptible to cramps and the cold.

9. Check the tides

When exploring around cliffs and caves you should check the tide times and heights to see if it is safe to do so.  Every year thousands of people are rescued simply because they became cut off.

10. Know your flags

Beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards use a simple flag system to communicate some basic safety information to members of the public.  Having a basic understanding of this can greatly reduce your risk of ever getting into trouble in the first place.

This area is patrolled by lifeguards and is the safest place to swim, bodyboard and use inflatable's.

This area is also patrolled by lifeguards and is the safest place for watersports such as surfing and kayaking.  Never swim here.

 This means there are unsafe winds and inflatables should never be used when this is flying.

This flag means that it is dangerous to enter the water.  You should never go into the sea when this flag is flying.

How to throw a line

This week our friends Dyfed Water Search and Rescue team visited local secondary schools and taught 176 students how to throw a rescue line to someone they see in difficulty in the water.  Do you know how to throw a line?  Below is a simple step by step guide from their team to help you learn this simple lifesaving technique.

1 Attract attention

Shout out to the casualty to get their attention and tell them you are going to throw a line.

2. Throw the Line

Hold the throw bag in your 'stronger arm' and ensure the line is secured in your other hand.  Using an under arm motion, throw the bag containing the line towards the casualty while holding the tail end of the line in your other hand. Aim to get the line to land across the casualty’s body or over their head enabling them to easily grab the line.

3. Give Instructions

Shout to the casualty: ‘Hold onto the line,’ followed by: ‘Roll onto your back.'  This will put the casualty into an easy position for you to pull them to safety

4. Pull line in

Pull the casualty towards you using both hands.

5. Help casualty out of the water

Get hold of the casualty and assist them out of the water, using whatever safe means is available.  Be sure to keep yourself safe at all times.

Top tips for summer event swimmers:

1) Buy the right kit:

  Swimming in the sea is different to swimming in a pool.  The water in the UK is classified as cold and therefore needs to be taken seriously.  Take advise from like minded competitors and manufacturers to ensure you have the right kit for the right job.  This should, as a minimum include a wetsuit, goggles and swim hat but if you will be planning informal training sessions you might also wish to consider safety and rescue equipment.

2)Get in the sea:

 Every year we see it, someone has decided to enter an event, trained their hearts out in the pool but never stepped foot into the sea.  Then the big shock hits them when over 2000 competitors battle it out in cold, moving water, this could not be further from pool swimming.  Sea swimming required a whole new set of techniques, more stamina plus you need to be able to read waves and use currents to your advantage.  Giving yourself a few weeks to acclimatise is highly valuable when it comes to keeping you safe, let alone finishing the race.

3) Do your homework:

Every course is different and spending a little time researching is important.  Look at and learn the course layout as on event day it will be chaotic, check the prevailing conditions and try to understand how this could affect your race and don't forget to read through your pre-event packs and pay attention to what to do if you need assistance as this really is your lifeline.

4)Line positioning:

Getting a good start is paramount, however, sometimes it might be more beneficial to push back and take the start easier.  Usually the pro's will start up front and naturally funnel down to the less experienced.  Being honest with yourself and placing yourself in the right place could be more beneficial in the long run as it will save you being caught up in the inevitable pushing and shoving that is usually found in the center of the pack.  Also, if your not the strongest of swimmers, going hard at the beginning could have disastrous effects on you at the end when you 'hit the wall.'  Pacing yourself and making it to the finish is probably a lot better than having to catch a free ride ashore with one of our lifeguards!

5) Listen to the safety team:

Believe it or not even your event organisers and professionals have to listen to the safety team, why? Because when it comes to keeping everyone safe they are the experts and they are in charge.  As part of your registration pack you should be given some basic safety information, read this and learn it as it will be crammed with information set down by the event organiser and safety team saying what to do in an emergency.  Also be sure to listen to the safety brief.  Most of the time this is a repeat of the information you have already had but listen carefully, something might have had to change last minute and this is the last opportunity you will have to be notified.  Finally while afloat, listen to and obey the safety teams.  Remember they are the experts and they are there to do a job and that job? - to keep you safe! 

Summer fitness tips for prospective lifeguards

Are you debating a career as a lifeguard and wondering how you can boost your fitness ready for that all important exam?  A lot of tradition Lifeguard fitness authors simply say 'Get in the pool' but there is so much more to being a beach lifeguard then just doing the lengths.

We asked one of our Lifeguard Assessors what a perspective candidate can do over the summer to help them achieve their beach lifeguard awards.

1. Stay in the pool: Its worth keeping on top of that pool swimming as it is there that you will hone your speed, stamina and technique for that all important timed swim.  Practice your distance swims, sprints and other elements of the assessment.

2. Hit the sea: Getting some sea swim time is also a huge advantage, why?  because swimming in the sea is totally different to swimming in the pool.  You need a totally different set of techniques plus you need to acclimatise to the environment.

3. Go surfing:  Being able to cope with surf is a fundamental part of the beach lifeguards job and having overcome the fears and unpredictability of the surf early on will clear the way for your instructors to really build you up as a waterman.  Why not take surf lessons? This way you will learn the basics of board work, how to read waves and overcome any fears?  Alternatively just adding a few simple surf sessions yourself would be beneficial.  Go swimming or take a body board. Just be sure to always visit a lifeguarded beach.

4. Join a beach fitness class:  Why not trade in that winter gym membership and turn the beach into your gym?  Loads of fitness centers are now offering outdoor sessions and if not, why not do it yourself?

5. Start running: Both the lifeguard course, exam and employment fitness tests involve some form of beach running.  So you can run on a track that's great, but can you run on soft sand?  Introducing a beach run element to your fitness will once again build on that speed and stamina of yours but will also start to acclimatise you to the environment you will be tested on so why not get the head start?

6. A healthy, balanced diet: Your body will crave those extra nutrients as you work it harder.  Giving your body the right fuel when exercising is key.  Make sure you get a balanced diet and cut down on the summer alcohol to give your body the energy it needs.

7. Get involved in water sports: It doesn't have to be surfing.  Having experience in any kind of water sport would be seen as a huge advantage when you finally apply for the job.

8. Volunteer:  Many organisations, including the RNLI and Surf Lifesaving clubs, regularly recruit volunteers to patrol their beaches or support their patrols.  This is a perfect opportunity to build your CV, gain experience and get a foot in the door and the best part is you don't even need to be a qualified lifeguard as many of these organisations have support roles meaning you can shadow a team and learn on the job.

9. October:  If you are looking to be qualified for the following season get your course for around October time the previous year.  Why?  well most lifeguard services start recruiting in February and if you already hold an award you won't need to wait around to get your exam.  Plus early season courses are usually oversubscribed and therefore harder to get on.

 10. Research:  Summer is the perfect time to do a bit of research to learn more about the actual role.  Stories of rescues will soon be hitting the newspapers so why not have a read and see what it's really all about?  Head down to the beach and visit your local lifeguards and ask them for their advice on training and recruitment.

Remember it's not just a case of finishing a course.  That's just the beginning. Getting out there and experiencing the environment early will help make you develop as a much stronger,  more attractive candidate.

Jumping into the unknown....

A lifeguards advice on tombstoning

It’s that time of year again – the weather is warming up and people young and old are flocking to the coast to cool off and enjoy the summer season and already we are seeing the annual rise in an activity known as tombstoning - jumping off pier, cliffs and bridges into water below.

I can see the attraction of tombstoning, being a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but I have also seen firsthand the sheer dangers such an un-regulated activity brings.

According to ROSPA over a 5 year period 2004-2010 there was a reported 139 incidents requiring rescue or emergency response on our coastline.  12 of these ended in a fatality.

However, there is a really simple message for people to keep in their minds: don’t jump into the unknown!

Thombstoning has been a common activity across the British coast for generations, unfortunately in recent years it has gained the attention of the press for all the wrong reasons, mainly the number of people killed or suffering life changing injuries as a result of their jump.  So we took a little time to look at some of the dangers and ask is there a safer alternative?

Why is it dangerous?

Tombstoning offers a high-risk, high-impact experience but it can have severe and life-threatening consequences. This is because:

• Water depths alter with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems
• Submerged objects like rocks may not be visible – these can cause serious impact injuries
• The shock of cold water can make it difficult to swim
• Getting out of the water is often more difficult than people realise
• Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away

Who is harmed?

To answer this question we looked at 41 of the most serious cases in more detail, and the stats may surprise you.

• Most of those involved in the most serious cases were male (85%)
• Teenagers were involved in just over half the cases (55%), followed by those in their 20s (25% with the remainder of incidents involving people aged over 30 years
• All of the known alcohol-related incidents involved males aged over 40 (which accounted for three of the fatal incidents)
• Of the non-fatal incidents, spinal and limb injuries (both at 20%) were most commonly reported.  Many of which resulted in life-changing injuries.

Is there a safer alternative?

Yes.  There is.  Activities such as coasteering are very similar to those associated with tombstoning but the key difference is that coasteering is done in a safe, controlled and lead manor.  Groups are escorted around pre-determined routes by specially trained guides who are equipped with both the skills and equipment needed to deal with any incident that might occur.

Splash Out 2016

For those of you that know us well, you'll know that here at Water Safety Europe we are passionate about water safety education and making water based activities accessible for everyone - after all why shouldn't everyone have the adventure?

That's why we're our team are actively involved in a wide variety of community projects be it teaching people to race boats competitively, delivering water safety talks and workshops or simply supporting a local community event, we try and do it all.  Now I know we're not supposed to have favorites but this next project is probably our favorite and it's not hard to see why.

Splash Out is a free, one day surf experience for young people and their families that helps break down the usual barriers that would prevent such a young person from partaking.  The team is entirely voluntary and they work on a one-to-one basis (that's a lot of volunteers by the way) and all these volunteers are captured in the same way, by their desire to allow someone less fortunate then themselves the opportunity to do what they do on a daily basis.

That's why, when approached by the organisers of Splash Out we jumped at the change of supporting such a great little cause.  We at Water Safety Europe really believe that if you want to do something you should be able to and that barriers preventing some from partaking should be broken down and that's just what Splash Out did.  They consulted with the experts and the wider community to discover just what it would take to make it happen and then they went out into the community, cap in hand and encouraged others to share their vision and support their cause.

They have some awesome supporters all contributing their own unique skills, services or funds to help keep this event free to the participant.  To name just a few of their sponsors we have Oakwood theme park, Port of Milford Haven , Puravida Boardriders, Round Table and Board Games Surfing….However the list really is endless!

For the 2016 event our team provided pre-event services such as consultation, planning and those all important documents (Risk Assessments, Normal Operating Procedures and Emergency Action Plans).  We also sent one of our Water Safety Teams down to help supervise the water based events and support the volunteer Surf Buddies.

We loved every minute of it and it was truly amazing to see that our small contribution had such a massive, positive impact on someone else's life.  Seriously the children had a whale of a time, learned new skills and (additional bonus) learned about water safety.  We've event been told that it is thanks to Splash Out that one young lad will now be attending swimming lessons.

We would seriously recommend that any business with a link to the area or surfing gets involved and supports Splash Out.  The team are doing awesome work and could really do with the extra hand.  But, in the mean time, if you would just like to support them by sharing their work with your friends then please go and find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  This will help them spread the word and open the event to even more families from more areas across Wales.  You will also be able to access all their latest news and find out more about up and coming  events when they happen!

Our Water Safety Pledges

Over the past couple of weeks our team have been helping to promote both the RLSS Drowning Prevention Week and the STA's Water Safety Week campaigns.  Why?  Because we believe very strongly that education is massively important in helping keep people safe.  Thats why were involved in so many community based projects helping provide education to all areas of our community and curve the number of water based incidents that happen every year.

In the UK someone drowns every 20 hours and thousands more suffer life changing injuries due to accidents in and around the water.  Education plays a key part in reducing these figures.

Our water safety teams were asked what would they like to do as part of these two national campaigns to help promote and educate about water safety issues.  They decided to each make water safety pledges, pledging what they will do to be water safe and promote safety.  Here's some of the best ones.

Water safety adviser and lifeguard trainer Angelo was captured floating around the north bay with his pledge to continue to train the next generation of lifesavers.

This photo was taken moments after the team responded to a call for help from a member of the public after seeing an up turned vessel.  All were safe and well.

We'd also like to point out Angelo is wearing a buoyancy aid in this photo and a safety boat was on scene

Health and safety adviser and rescue medical technician Rob was found demonstrating his Swift Water rescue PPE to a group of rookie lifesavers with his pledge to set up a new water rescue team.

RYA power boat instructor Ieuan James was captured with his pledge to wear the correct PPE when training others.

Can you spot the drowning child?

Well did you?  Its hard isn't it?  But surly it shouldn't be your thinking.  'Everyone knows what drowning looks like?' you're probably say or maybe it's because there's no volume on this picture, no screams for help? or come to think of it, no one's reacting so maybe there's not even a child drowning in this picture at all?

Well your wrong.  There is and what's more this still, silent photo is very much similar to witnessing someone in difficulty in the water.  And just to prove it here's a video.  Why not see if you can spot the casualty this time; http://spotthedrowningchild.com/

Did you get it this time?  See how difficult it was.  Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and even within arm's reach of other swimmers. 

As much as we would like to think we could all spot and help a drowning victim there's no way of hiding the fact that drowning is a silent killer.  The victim rarely calls or signals for help and this is because when someone is drowning, contrary to what many assume, they can't call out - there simply isn't time to inhale and exhale before they sink below the surface.  Often they arn't able to wave their arms.

But event swimmers and watermen are different right? They're fitter, stronger and more trained.  They should be in tune with their ability and take early action to prevent drowning right?

Wrong.  Event participants are just as at risk as this young boy was.  Yes they might be fitter, stronger and more experienced but they are also pushing themselves further and harder and operating in more hazardous environments.  This makes them more susceptible to injuries like dislocations (ever tried swimming on a dislocated arm?) and cramp.  They operate in cold open water leading to cold shock and hypothermia or they over do it and fail to exhaustion.  But will they give up?  no, not in my experience.  Or at least not until the very last minute and at that point, when they know they physically cannot go anymore they search for the nearest point of safety and support.

And that's why when your choosing how to staff your events safety teams you need to seriously think about it.  Is your team made up of professionals?  Are they actually trained?  Do they hold the necessary insurances?

All of Water Safety Europe's teams are trained professionals.  They hold national and internationally recognised awards to enable them to do this role and just like that lifeguard in the video; they're specifically trained to notice the signs of distress and take actions prior to the incident unfolding.  They're supported by a highly experienced team, there to coordinate and manage incidents and eliminate the guess work from the process.  Their actions are monitored and coordinated ensuring maximum coverage and maximum efficiency. 

Can your team do all that?

In the past many events got-by by utilising local paddlers or calling a mate with a boat.  But in this modern world of health and safety laws, where the onus is on the event organiser to ensure safety why risk it?  Why not choose a team who can actually do the job and do it properly.  As I always say to my clients if you want to run a budget event that's fine.  Buy in budget medals, cut costs on marketing and slice the fancy look at me additions that ultimately come with events but please do not try to play budget with the important things.  Your medical cover, security and yes water safety as when something goes wrong it is these services you're going to rely on.  As a friend of mine once said 'we are a necessary evil.  An expenditure you should tolerate paying but hope you never need to see used.'

DID YOU KNOW:

 i     - 1 in 10,000 event swimmers will go unconscious
 - 1 person every 20 hours drowns in the UK and thousands more suffer life changing injuries.
  -   the highest risk group is 15-25 year old males

Formation of the Dyfed Search & Rescue Team

We love supporting the community and here's just another project we've got behind to help make it a reality.

We are currently working with a local community based team in the development and formation of a non profit water and flood rescue team to be based in the Dyfed area that has the capability to respond to flood and water incidents across the United Kingdom.

Following a planning meeting last night with the projects other partners (Red Kite SAR - a rescue and medical consultancy firm based in Carmarthen) we have created the initial team of volunteers who will be trained up and equipped to go operational within the year.

But why have we done this?  As a group of individuals both the Water Safety Europe and Red Kite team have a wealth of knowledge both in consolation and operations side of search and rescue.  With the increase in incidents involving water in one form or other, rivers, lakes, tidal pools, as well as more and more cases of flooding both locally and across the United Kingdom, teams like this are becoming ever more in demand.

The community based non profit water/flood rescue team will be formed up as an SLSGB Club that will be trained and equipped to the standards set down by DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) for Flood and Water Rescue.

The project is very much still in its infancy, but following yesterday's meeting it's safe to say things are moving in the right direction.  We will bring you more news of the Dyfed SAR team as it unfolds.

x

Refreshing insight to youth education

Yesterday a team from Water Safety Europe joined members of the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership,  Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue, RLSS and RedKite SAR in a demonstration of a new and refreshing approach to teaching young people the skills needed to stay safe in the water....By their school teachers.

Water Safety Europe trainers attended the demonstration that took part in the Carmarthen Leisure Centre facility and were surprise to see the new project was being taught to students by their school teachers.  The project has been based around the RLSS rookie lifeguard program and was incorporated within the students mandatory swimming lessons.  Groups were split into manageable sizes and were taught by their school teachers - who were supported by the centres lifeguards and staff.

But the most refreshing part of this is in the method of delivery.  As it currently stands teaching children to swim is part of the national curriculum, but educating them in water safety isn't and has been left to local charities and youth clubs to fill the gap.  Needless to say this leaves a huge percentage of our youth never partaking in any form of water safety education resulting in high water related incident statistics.

This new approach to lifesaving education helps bridge the traditional barriers placed on such training and enables schools to educate their pupils in these vital core messages.  But how does it work?  Quite simply actually.  The swim lessons are split into blocks (let's say for argument sake a class will receive 20 lessons a year)  the centre will deliver the usual curriculum based swim lessons and every so often will deliver the lifesaving training (say every 1 in 5 weeks) meaning the children are getting the best of both worlds.

Top 5 reasons to train in Tenby

1. Tenby falls in the middle of the Pembrokshire coast National Park - the only coastal national park in the UK.

2. Tenby has 3 blue flagged beaches in recognition of their clean white sand, high water quality and general safety.

 3. In 2016 Tenby was named as one of the top destinations to visit in Europe while trip advisor awarded it 5th UK Destination.

4. Even Hollywood has visited choosing the Pembrokeshire coast to film such blockbusters as Robin Hood, Harry Potter and Third Star.

  5. Pembrokeshire was ranked the second best coastline in the world coming behind the Tutuka coast - NZ.

Continued success for Rookie Lifesavers

A group of five Pembrokeshire children are continuing to have success with their Rookie Lifesaver training course held at 1 Formula Fitness health club and delivered by Water Safety Europe.

Photographed are the successfully candidates being presented with their RLSS Rookie Lifeguard Bronze stage 3 certificates alongside Lifeguard Trainer Angelo Fecci.

The programme that was originally jointly developed by Water Safety Europe’s team of lifeguard trainers and 1 Formula Fitness Fitness club in Kilgetty has recently welcomed local swimming instructor Jeanette Poole, of Poole Swimming, into the project and has started to deliver the full RLSS Rookie Lifesaver Awards as part of the centres Rookie Lifesaver club.

The club has been set up to offer an exciting opportunity for young people, aged 6-12 years the opportunity to access a fun and informative program of training designed to encourage their safe use of the counties waterways.  The 'Rookies' train once a week with local Lifeguard Trainers and Swimming Instructors who work on the participants basic swimming capabilities as well as teaching essential water safety and basic lifesaving skills.

"We are very proud to have been a part of this program since its launch last summer." said lifeguard trainer Angelo Fecci

"Programmes like this are vitally important to educating young people of the dangers of the water and more importantly giving them some basic skill that they can use should they ever find themselves or someone else getting into trouble."

The Rookie project is now looking for a new batch of local children to take part and anyone interested in a space is encouraged to contact 1 Formula Fitness on 01834 811788.

Water Safety Europe’s team will be back on Pembrokeshire beaches this season delivering professional beach lifeguard training courses. If you would like to join them and train for a career as a professional lifeguard or a role within the surf industry, then please visit the website www.watersafetyeurope.co.uk

Lifeguard Re-qualification Weekend

Date: 19th/20th March 2016

Venue: Tenby South Beach

Price: £150 inc SLSA Wales membership, assessment fees and training resources.

To book your place please email info@watersafetyeurope.co.uk

We are hosting a training weekend specifically for those needing to revalidate their Beach Lifeguard award to the new National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (launched 2015).  This course will cover all the core competencies of the award as well as train candidates in the new syllabus changes.

For more information on this course please visit our website 

To book your place please contact us on info@watersafetyeurope.co.uk

Rookies achieve Bronze stage 1

Since June 2014, Water Safety Europe have teamed up with local fitness center 1 Formula Fitness to develop and deliver Rookie Lifesaver training to local young people within the centers 'Learn to Swim Program.'  The main objective of the Rookie Lifesaver program was to teach the young participants the vital water safety messages as well as teaching vital practical skills in personal survival, self rescue and helping others in distress.

Following the success of the trial program delivered by Water Safety Europe Lifeguard trainers we have extended the program as well as welcoming another partner (Poole Swimming) who have joined our trainers and deliver swim school elements into the course.

Above is the first set of 1 Formula fitness candidates with their new Rookie Lifesaver Bronze stage 1 certificates, while sporting their new Rookie Lifesaver hoodies.

"We are passionate about supporting local drowning prevention strategies and have been honored to work alongside Kate and her team at 1 Formula Fitness" said lifeguard trainer Angelo Fecci.  "We strongly believe that education is a vital tool in protecting people, of all ages from accidents in the water.  I would like to wish my sincere congratulations to all those who have partook in and passed this Rookie stage and we look forward to continue to train with them." 

If you would like to find out more about the many courses run by Water Safety Europe then please visit our website (www.watersafetyeurope.co.uk) or email our team direct on info@watersafetyeurope.co.uk.

COMING SOONRenew your Beach Lifeguard Certificate over one 1 weekend!
We will be lauching a new training weekend specifically for professional lifeguards looking to renew their qualifications.
At first we aim to host two events in the year; one pre-season and one post season.

We believe this style of training will enable those actively working within the industry to re-validate their certificates and continue to work in the most simplest and cost effective manner.
The new style course will put candidates through the usual 'Final Assessments' required to qualify as a beach lifeguard but will also enable candidates to renew their skills while being updated by our team of trainer assessors on the changes bought into the award, meaning they stay current and at the forefront of national standards.

Upon completing this course, candidates will be issued with the new National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) the national standard for beach lifeguards which will re-validate them for a further 24 months.

If you are interested in signing up for our 2016 course, please visit www.watersafetyeurope.co.uk or contact info@watersafetyeurope.co.uk

Training with Water Safety Europe

We're running beach lifeguard courses in Pembrokeshire ahead of this season.

Interested in becoming a surf instructor? Or just working in the water sports industry?  Training as a Surf Coach Lifesaver will give you the necessary lifesaving skills to keep your participants safe.  

Our trainers have over 8 years experience delivering SLSA courses throughout Wales.  They have extensive operational experience in both the professional and volunteer lifeguard sector as well as working in the pre-hospital medical sector.

Know their knowledge, skills and expertise can be utilised by your staff.