RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

July 14, 2008
ENJOY WATERSPORTS BUT THINK BEFORE BOOKING, SAYS RoSPA

As a European-wide report into water safety is launched today, and in time for the main holiday season, RoSPA is advising holidaymakers about what to look for when choosing a watersports operator.

The European Child Safety Alliance has produced guidelines for water recreation providers across the EU. The aims are to improve the consistency of safety standards and to cut the incidence of injuries and deaths among children. Drowning is the second biggest cause of injury-related fatality to children in Europe and research has shown that children and young people are at increased risk of dying or being injured in the water while on holiday.

The guidelines cover a range of water-based activities, including snorkelling, towed inflatables, windsurfing and jet-skiing. The advice specifically relates to children, but much of it is also relevant to adults.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA Head of Leisure Safety, who has investigated the safety of watersports at European holiday resorts, said: “Watersports can be a great way to have some fun on holiday. Sadly, however, we hear every year of holidaymakers being injured or even killed during these activities because of the lax attitudes of some operators towards safety.

“If you are travelling with children, their safety will obviously be paramount in decisions you take about the activities they do. But adults should also be mindful of safety considerations when booking watersports for themselves.

“When going away, particularly to overseas destinations, remember that safety provisions can vary from place to place and may fall far below what you are used to at home. We need greater harmony in the safety of watersports across Europe, and, ideally, we would like to see a system through which an operator’s safety standards can be verified.

“But, it is also important that holidaymakers have all the information they need to make decisions about which watersports operators to book with and which to avoid. The key is to check out an operator before committing to book with them. If you have any doubts, walk away.”

The advice for choosing a good watersports operator includes:

• Check out the equipment: if an operator is sloppy about looking after their own equipment, you are right to question how well they will look after you.
• Make sure you are given a lifejacket or buoyancy aid: they need to fit properly in order to work properly.
• Ensure protective helmets are provided for towed inflatable rides.
• Observe where the activities are taking place: make sure they happen in a clearly-marked zone.
• Be certain the operator takes your details: in particular, if you are hiring a jet-ski, you should be asked for ID, proof of age and, ideally, any relevant training/qualifications.
• Check out the safety provisions: you should always be given a full safety briefing. Consider what will happen if something goes wrong. Who will rescue you? Is there an alert observer on the beach and someone acting as a look-out in the tow boat? Is there adequate communication between the beach and those on the water?

RoSPA’s Watersports Safety Abroad factsheet can be accessed at www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/information/water_sports_safety_abroad.htm

The European Child Safety Alliance report, called Protecting Children and Youths in Water Recreation: Safety Guidelines for Service Providers, can be accessed at www.childsafetyeurope.org