Watch as RNLI water safety expert gives Sunderland children his top tips for staying safe this summer

With the summer holidays just weeks away, the RNLI are visiting schools across the city and region to help ensure children stay safe this summer.

While it may not feel like it, we are now in the first month of meteorological summer and with that comes trips to the coast and beauty spots, often alongside rivers and lakes.

As temperatures hopefully rise, children and adults like to venture into the sea and waterways to paddle, swim and enjoy a whole host of water-sports, many of which are growing in popularity.

However, as was tragically highlighted last month (May) when two boys sadly died after getting into difficulties in the River Tyne, it can have potentially devastating consequences.

It’s why RNLI water safety volunteer Martin Lightfoot was today (June 12) visiting Seaburn Dene Primary School - one of four visits to schools in the city this week.

He said: “It’s vital to teach children about water safety as every year there are unfortunately some young people who die though drowning and so getting into schools and talking to children about how to stay safe is really important.

“It’s very seasonal and during the six weeks summer holidays and warmer weather more people go down to the beach to enjoy themselves and we do get a lot more more call outs.”

Children from all year groups at Seaburn Dene watched a series of water safety videos looking at potentially dangerous scenarios, including jumping into water and getting caught in a rip current as well as staying calm and adopting the ‘star’ position if unexpectedly entering cold water.

Martin said: “You always need to make sure you have the correct gear and training for whatever you are going to do, but even if you are just going to the beach for a family fun day you need to be aware of the dangers, such as rip currents and getting too close to the edges of cliffs and piers.

“One of the big issues is cold water. Even in summer, the water only gets up to about 14 degrees Celsius. Your body needs to be 37 degrees and so people can suffer from cold water shock, even if you are a strong swimmer.

“In that situation the best thing to do is to stay calm and put yourself into the starfish float position to let your body get used to the cold water before waving your arm to attract people’s attention and shouting as loud as you can.”

The session certainly seemed to have the desired affect on children at Seaburn Dene.

Year 3 pupil Oliver Bailey, 8, said: “I like going to the seaside, but it’s important to stay safe.

“You need to go into the starfish position and keep your head above the water. You can go to your local swimming pool to practice.”

Classmate Nora Langfield, 7, added: “It’s important to learn water safety otherwise you could drown.

“It’s important to remember the four key steps of being careful, keeping an eye on other people, stay together and to phone 112 or 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you or someone else gets into trouble.”

Top tips for our city’s children to stay safe in the water this summer

While Martin is in the process of visiting schools across the city, he was also keen to speak to the Echo to give his top tips for staying safe this summer.

He said:

1 “Always go on a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.”

2 “If you get caught in a rip current then don’t try to swim against it. Go sideways, parallel to the shore, and then try and swim in.

3 “Stop and think about what you are doing and make sure you have right gear and training. If you are going to do paddle boarding then make sure you have the correct type of leash to stay connected to your board.”

4 If you do get into a difficult situation then lay on your back, head up, and try and get people’s attention.”

5 “If you do see anyone in difficulty then don’t go in after them, you are better off phoning 999 for the Coastguard or getting the attention of the lifeguard.”

6 “If the sun is out then make sure you wear sun cream and drink water.”