Facts and Figures

Here are some simple facts and figures provided by the RLSS:

• Every 17 hours someone in the UK drowns
• On average 450 - 500 people drown every year
• Drowning in this country is the 3rd highest cause of accidental death in children
• At least three quarters of drowning victims are male
• In 2005 75 children drowned whilst on holiday abroad
• Drowning locations:                  
           Approx 20% of all drownings are at coastal locations
           Approx 62% of all drownings are at inland waters - rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs etc
           
           The remaining 18% are roughly broken up as follows:
           Home baths - 10%
           Swimming pools - 4%
           Garden ponds - 3%
           Other - 1%
• The safest place to swim or bathe is a beach or swimming pool protected by qualified lifeguards
• Pre-school children are most at risk from the domestic environment: the bath, a garden pond or a water butt
• Older children are more vulnerable at open water sites, usually away from parental supervision.

Get Safe 4 Summer hopes to reduce these figures by making children aware of the dangers posed by open water and how they can prevent accidents.  View our regional/local events of 2008 to find GS4S courses in your area.