RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
August 1, 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS DROWNING WORRY
A spate of summer drownings has highlighted the need for managers of water sites to ensure they are fully informed about the latest safety measures, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today.
To keep them up-to-date, the Society is organising its first national water safety congress, Safe Management of Water Sites – The Risk Assessment Route, at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, on September 24-25.
Each year around 570 people drown in the UK – about 375 of them in inland open water like rivers, lakes, pools, reservoirs, canals and lochs.
Peter Cornall, RoSPA Water and Leisure Manager, said: “The spate of drownings which coincided with the hot spells this summer underlines the need for people with responsibility for water sites to do all they can to make them safe.
“The RoSPA conference will give them an opportunity to hear the views of experts and discuss problems with their fellow professionals. Delegates will be able to gain a better understanding of exactly what duties and responsibilities they have.
“The Society believes the drowning problem must to be given greater priority by managers of water sites and swimming pools.”
The congress is sponsored by Poseidon Technologies Ltd, who produce computer-aided drowning detection systems for swimming pools.
Alan Whitehead, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions will deliver the opening address.
Topics explored will include: accident investigation and the root causes of water incidents; how technology will shape the future role of lifeguards; risk assessment for water site operators; and drowning research and preventative methods. Delegates will also be given the opportunity to attend forum discussions.
Among the speakers are Andrew Ebben, Managing Director of the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards, Bob Baty, Chief Executive of South West Water and Adam Wooler, Beach Rescue Project Manager.
The conference will be of specific interest to: leisure and tourism managers and directors, managers of water sports facilities, environmental health officers and manufacturers of water safety products.
For more information, call Peter Cornall on 0121 248 2000
