MP supports drowning prevention charity

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, who was for nine years a qualified lifeguard, has signed up to support the UK’s drowning prevention charity in its work to reduce drowning and provide water safety education and lifesaving awards across the UK and Ireland.

Representatives from The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) made the trip to Parliament ahead of its annual national campaign, Drowning Prevention Week which, this year, runs from June 21 to 29.

CPR workshops and water safety advice sessions were held throughout the afternoon and MPs were invited to sign up and ‘pledge to support the delivery of water safety education to all under 18- year olds-in the UK’.

More than 30 people drowned in just seven weeks during last summer’s heatwave. Around 400 people accidentally drown in the UK every year - one every 20 hours - and thousands more have near drowning experiences. The importance of good water safety education is therefore clear especially in an area with both inland and coastal waters.

Ms Seabeck said: “I was delighted to sign up to support the delivery of water safety education in my constituency. As a former lifeguard I know first-hand both how much fun can be had in and around the water but also the hidden dangers and how risky activities like tombstoning can be.  I want my constituents to be able to enjoy swimming in pools, rivers and at the beach safely this summer. That’s why I will be writing to schools in my constituency encouraging them to sign get involved in Drowning Prevention Week.”

For more information on the RLSS UK, Drowning Prevention Week 2014, water safety advice or details on lifesaving courses suitable for children and adults you can:

Visit the website at www.rlss.org.uk

Follow the campaign on Twitter - @RLSSUK

Visit the Facebook page - www.facebook.com/RLSSUK