VIDEO: Olympic swimmer Tom Dean shares vital water safety message

Olympic swimmer Tom Dean MBE has shared important water safety advice as part of a major joint initiative to help keep people safe as the weather warms up.

The emergency services, local authorities and the Environment Agency will be working together across the Thames Valley to share how to stay safe by the water and how simple changes and techniques could save a life.  

Following tragic deaths in the water over the last few years in the Thames Valley, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services, the Environment Agency, South Central Ambulance Service, Buckinghamshire Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have all been working together with the aim of warning and informing residents of how to stay safe by the water, particularly with young people who often head to the water side when schools are closed.

As part of the initiative, Olympic gold medallist Tom Dean, who is from Maidenhead, features in a short safety video offering advice around open water swimming, the dangers of jumping from bridges and what to do if you find yourself in trouble in the water.

With half term approaching and sunny weather forecast, authorities and organisations are stepping up their efforts to warn people about the dangers of open water.

This week a hard-hitting video was released to run alongside a Leisure Focus campaign to educate young people on water safety. The leisure centre operator also held the first of a series of assemblies for primary school pupils on the subject, and will also be placing banners across the Royal Borough.

The Tom Dean video will be played on school buses covering the area around the Jubilee Flood Relief Channel and school inputs on water safety will be delivered by fire and rescue services in the final half term of the school year.

Over the summer, all agencies will be participating in joint patrols of the riverside and running a number of safety events on hot, sunny days when these areas are busiest.

Neighbourhood Inspector James Ellis, of Thames Valley Police, said:  “When someone finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s terrifying for those involved and brings together all agencies as life savers. No life should be lost to the water and I really hope this work helps ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely.

“We know that younger people particularly are less likely to engage with messages from statutory agencies so we’re really grateful to Tom in joining us as trusted voice for this audience, to help impress the importance of these messages.”

Tim Readings, group manager, RBFRS, said: “Drowning is preventable and one drowning is one too many. We are urging people to take care around Berkshire’s waterways this year. There are numerous natural and man-made hazards located in our waterways, such as varying water currents, weirs, reed beds and dangerous objects beneath the surface that have been carelessly discarded.

“Cold water is another hazard that can have serious consequences and can endanger even the strongest swimmers. Even on a warm day the temperature in open water can remain very cold, causing cold water shock. If you find yourself in trouble, try not to panic and remember ‘Float To Live’.

“If you do see someone in difficulty remember ‘Call, Tell and Throw – Call 999, tell the person to float on their back and throw something to them to help them float.”

Maria Herlihy, operations manager for the Environment Agency, said: "The Bank Holiday is looking to be the first really hot weekend of the year, though the waters in the Thames are still bitterly cold.  We’ve had a chilly, wet spring and just last weekend the water temperature was only 14 degrees Centigrade – sudden exposure to this can easily cause cold water shock which can immobilise or even kill.”

The Advertiser and Express will be working with emergency services, authorities and organisations to raise awareness of the water safety message throughout the spring and summer.