Making sure the life buoys are ready to use in an emergency

Tuesday 25 July was World Drowning Prevention Day and the borough council is playing its part locally by sharing advice on how to stay safe around open water, through its awareness campaign, Be #WaterAware this summer.  

The orange lifebuoys, positioned along the Thames and at private lakes, have a long rope attached and can be thrown into the water to help a person in trouble to stay afloat.

Community Wardens have been checking lifebuoys to make sure they are ready to save a life in an emergency. Sadly, some of these lifesaving devices are frequently vandalised. Please respect these lifesavers and leave them intact to do their job in an emergency. The Community Wardens now carry throwlines so they can help save a life if they come across a water emergency during their routine patrols, which include riverside locations. They’ve been getting expert training and practice in their effective use at Bray Lake.

This important advice may save a life – it could be yours If you get into trouble in open water this summer, would you know what to do? This important advice from the RNLI could save your life – please make sure you  share it with family and friends. Float to live If you find yourself struggling in the water unexpectedly, your instinct would tell you to swim hard. But cold water shock could make you gasp uncontrollably. Then you could breathe in water and drown. Instead: Tilt your head back until your ears are submerged in the water which forces your body up to the surface. Facing upwards also protects the nose and mouth from the water, giving unobstructed access to air Try to relax and regulate breathing While floating on your back, moving your arms gently helps you stay afloat and it’s ok if your legs are not level with the rest of your body If you can, get your legs to the surface, spread your arms and legs like a star as it improves stability Once panic has passed and controlled breathing returns, you can then call out for help. Helping someone else in trouble If you see someone in trouble in the water, shout to them and encourage them to tilt their head back to float on their back. Locate a nearby lifesaving ring to throw it to them, call 999. Lifebuoys in our borough will soon have QR codes on them to help you pinpoint where you are when calling emergency services. South Central Ambulance Service and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service do not recommend getting into the water yourself.