Brighton & Hove encouraged to stay safe this December
As part of the national Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, run by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), Brighton & Hove residents are being urged to make good choices, look after one another and make sure that after Christmas festivities routes home, away from the water are selected.
Don’t Drink and Drown is the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s national campaign that encourages smart decision making whilst intoxicated around water. It particularly targets individuals to be responsible for their friends, if they have had too much to drink. Aiding them to return home safely.
On average 73 people lose their lives each year through a substance-related drowning. For context, this is over 20% of the annual accidental drowning fatalities.
The campaign, which was launched following a string of tragic and high-profile student drownings in 2014.
RLSS UK staff, partners, and volunteers carry out activities and events in towns and cities that have demonstrated a particularly high number of alcohol-related drownings.
Research indicates that more than a quarter of all adult drowning victims have alcohol and/or drugs in their bloodstream.
Many of them drowned because they walked home alone and fell in the water.
Help the RLSS to save lives by getting involved with the campaign:
Download the Marketing Pack for ideas on how you can support the campaign
Spread the word on social media using resources HERE
Download and show the RLSS NEW film HERE
Learn essential emergency response techniques with Water Safety Equipment Training HERE
Purchase the RLSS Campaign Resources for your activities HERE
Donate to this campaign HERE
Water safety advice:
Look out for your friends, make sure they get home safely
If you’ve had a drink, stay away from the water
Find an alternative route home, don’t walk home near the water
Stay away from the water in winter, cold water shock kills
Effects of alcohol on the body:
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to an impaired judgment which means you are more likely to take risks and get in trouble
Alcohol limits muscle ability making simple movements much harder
Alcohol slows down your reactions making it more difficult to get yourself out of trouble
Alcohol numbs the senses making swimming very difficult