Schools from across Monmouthshire have taken part in a pair of water safety events.

Around 500 students attended the events, which were organised with the support of the RNLI, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police and Swim Wales.

All pupils walked away from the event having taken part in four pool-based workshops focused on the Water Safety Code.

This was followed by four dry-side workshops, outlining the dangers of water and the involvement of emergency services and other partners in keeping people safe in these environments. 

The Water Safety Code is based on research commissioned by the RNLI in 2018 as part of their Youth Education programme. Since then, it has widely been adopted by the UK National Water Forum, of which organisations including Swim Wales, Swim England, RLSS, RoSPA and the Fire and Rescue Services are part.

The Water Safety Code offers easy-to-remember information designed to educate individuals across the UK and Ireland. It encourages people to make critical decisions early and helps them understand the appropriate actions to take in an emergency.

The code instructs that, if you are around water, you must:

• Stop and think – always swim in a safe place.
• Stay together – always swim with friends or family, or at a lifeguarded venue.

In an emergency, you should:

• Call 999 – If you see someone in trouble, you must tell somebody or go to the nearest telephone and dial 999. Then ask for the Fire Service at inland water sites and the Coastguard at the beach. Throw something that floats for the person to hold on to, but don’t enter the water to help.

For more information on the Water Safety Code, visit https://www.swimwales.org/water-safety-code/

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “Learning how to be safe around water is a vital skill, especially as we begin to head into the warmer part of the year.

“I am pleased to see that so many students have taken the time to acquaint themselves with the Water Safety Code.

“If you are heading out to one of Monmouthshire’s beautiful rivers or to the coast, please do so safely.”

Hannah Guise, Learn to Swim Manager at Swim Wales, said: “These festivals demonstrate the power of collaboration in teaching and reinforcing potentially life-saving water safety messages to students. Combining theory with practical activities in the water significantly enhances the learning experience. We

were delighted to support MonLife in delivering these festivals and would encourage other local authorities to follow this excellent example.”