The Safety First Campaign, dedicated to saving lives and keeping you safe !

It is a sad fact that many children drown every year in and around our waterways, this section is dedicated to saving lives by educating not only anglers but all children to the safe use of these areas and how to save someone that may be in danger of drowning or causing themselves other serious injury,  please read this common sense advice to keep safe whilst fishing, playing or walking near water.

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1. NEVER go fishing alone ! always try to go with a friend but if you do go alone then always try to sit amongst or near to other anglers , If you get into difficulty you may need their help.

2. If you do go fishing alone then always tell someone where you are going !! and take a mobile phone just in case you need assistance.

3. If you are wading in a river or still water then always use a long bank stick to test the depth before you go any further !, Try to stay in water that is just under your thighs, REMEMBER if you fall into a river wearing waders you may not be able to stay afloat !

4. If you see someone in danger that has fallen into the water then raise the alarm immediately !, try to throw them a rope or a life preserver if there is one nearby or anything else that may help them to stay afloat, NEVER attempt to save anyone that is drowning unless you have been trained to do so !.

 5. NEVER go swimming in rivers, canals or still waters it may look inviting on a hot summers day but you do not know what is hiding under the water !, many people have drowned swimming in these types of waters even when they have been strong swimmers so don't do it no matter what the circumstance.

6. When walking or playing near water do not go near the waters edge, stay to the pathways or flood banks and never try to retrieve anything that you have dropped into the water no matter what it is !.

7. If you see someone behaving in an irresponsible way or you believe that they may find themselves in difficulty due to their actions then tell them of your concern, if you can ! but otherwise inform the authorities immediately if you think that they are in danger of drowning or causing themselves harm.

8. NEVER attempt to retrieve anything that you have dropped in to the water !, even if you have some of your tackle taken by a fish ! it is not worth losing your life over something that can be replaced ?.

9. Teach your children to swim from an early age as it may save their lives one day !.

10. If you are under sixteen years of age and want to go fishing then always go with an adult, if a bailiff or other adult tells you something they may not be telling you to upset or aggravate so listen to their advice as it may be to keep you safe !.

11. Always carry some rope with a large knot tied on one end just in case you need to save someone from drowning ! you can use this rope tethered to your car or a tree to help you climb steep banks and assist in getting your fishing tackle to the bottom safely ! If you fall into the water with your seat box or rod holdall on your shoulder you may not be able to get out.

 12. If you do fall into the water try not to panic ! you should be able to stay afloat, shout as loudly as you can so that passers by or other water users will hear you, If you do go under the water then try to take a deep breath before doing so, it is often easier to use the lake bed to pull yourself out than to try and swim wearing wet clothing or waders as long as you get your bearings and know which way it is to the river bank or waterside.

It is your responsibility to keep safe when visiting any fishery and to use a responsible common sense attitude when fishing !, please keep safe and remember this advice as it may save your life one day.

If you have managed to help someone that has fallen into the water and they are on the bank then cover them with a blanket or coat to keep them warm whilst you call for an ambulance if needed, if they have taken in large amounts of water try to put them into the recovery position before you go or call for help as they can still drown when on the bank if you lay them on their back !.

If you have saved someone that has been drowning and they have stopped breathing then try to administer first aid (CPR) only if you have been trained to do so, you may not have much time to save their lives so be quick when raising the alarm and give the emergency services the precise details of your location and the emergency.

You should always try to gain some general first aid training as there are many organisations that provide courses in your area, if you search the internet for life saving courses then you should be able to find a course near you, the British Red Cross still remain one of the largest life saving training organisations in this country and are easy to find on the internet you can navigate to to their site by using this link www.redcross.org.uk but if you wish to go straight to the life saving courses then use the link below

 www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=51069&cachefixer=