The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
Media release - 22 July 2004
RECREATION INDUSTRY ISSUES SUMMER SWIM WARNING
ISRM highlights the dangers of open water
The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) is warning people across the country to swim safely this summer and resist the temptation to swim in rivers, streams and lakes. Every year the school summer holidays and the warmer weather triggers a huge increase in the number of children swimming in unsupervised open water, drowning is now the third most common cause of accidental death among the under 16s.
The ISRM estimates that there are around 250 million visits made to swimming pools across the UK every year. Swimming is a great way to stay fit and healthy if it is enjoyed in a safe and supervised environment such as a local pool or sports center.
Ralph Riley, chief executive of the ISRM said: "Cooling down in a river or stream may seem like a good idea at the time but there are many dangers which can catch out even the strongest swimmers and there is often no one around to prevent a tragedy. Drowning is still the third most common cause of accidental death among under 16s and the majority of these deaths are avoidable."
As part of its remit to promote pool safety and good practice the ISRM has recently launched a new structured ongoing training programme for lifeguards. The programme recommends lifeguards spend at least two and a half hours a month working on fitness, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, first aid and rescue techniques.
Riley continued: "You are more than three times as likely to drown in the bath at home than you are in a swimming pool. But one death in a swimming pool is one too many and the improvements we have made to the ongoing training guidelines for lifeguards are designed to address this."
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For more information, please contact:
Johnny Sollitt-Davis / Joanna Masson
Octopus Communications for ISRM
01753 672755
isrm@octopuscomms.net
About ISRM
The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management is the national professional body for sport and recreation management in the UK. Founded in 1921, the institute has a membership of 2,500 qualified sport and recreation specialists employed at all levels in the industry from front line managers to heads of companies, organizations and local authority departments. Its key objective is to provide opportunities for participation in sport and other recreational activities to benefit public health. More information is available at www.isrm.co.uk.