Blackweir Bridge Water Safety Event
Children and young people gathered around Firefighters to learn how to keep themselves safe at a water safety engagement event, held at Blackweir Bridge, Pontcanna Fields.
The Green Watch Swift Response Team, based at Cardiff Central Fire Station, took to the water to show youngsters how a water rescue is carried out, and to demonstrate the use of vital safety equipment.
Organised in collaboration with South Wales Police and Cardiff Council colleagues, the event was held on 14th August during the school summer holidays, to raise awareness and educate younger members of society about the dangers of water.
Watch Manager Gareth Burnett explained: “Water safety is a statutory duty for the Fire Service, and a core part of our day-to-day role.
“There are a lot of water-related risks and dangers that people just aren’t aware of.
“Flash fooding and heavy rain can bring large amounts of debris downstream. Running water can look serene on the surface but natural formations and dangerous objects can be hidden underneath.
“Alcohol can also be a factor, as well as people jumping in after pets and the risks of cold water shock.”
The Category C Team is fully trained in all conditions to respond to inland water-related incidents, day or night, around Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
Children lined up to take turns at using throw lines and practice recovering a swimmer from the river.
The crew demonstrated how to launch a sled and the techniques for pulling a casualty to shore using a tethered line.
“We’ve also been showing children the different methods of how we approach people in the water, for example, we can only use throw lines if the casualty is conscious and able to hold on, so we have been demonstrating how we would approach if the person is unresponsive.” Burnett concluded.
Attendees at the event included Jan Hargreaves, who brought her four grandchildren along.
“It’s been a fantastic day for the children – they’ve absolutely loved it!” She explained.
“We’ve never attended this type of event before, but I think it’s so important for children to learn safety around the water.
“In particular they have really enjoyed practising using the throwline, and I’m pleased we were able to come today.”
Cardiff Council Wardens, Cardiff Youth Service, and police colleagues helped to educate and engage youngsters at the event, with child-friendly water safety leaflets and literature.
PSCO Rachel Griffiths said: “Today’s event has gone really well. There’s been a good turnout of the right demographic – young people and teenagers.
“There’s always a sharp increase in water safety-related incidents in the spring and summer months – particularly amongst this age group – so it’s really important that we organise and attend these type of educational events in partnership with our Fire Service colleagues.”
Dave Sultana, Cardiff City Council Warden Manager, explained: “It is really useful for my team to know the dos and do nots around shallow bodies of water, since the reopening of the Churchill Way Canal.
“It’s been a great turnout today, with lots of engagement with both passers-by and people who came specifically for the water safety training, but it is also really important for us to work closely and develop good partnerships with the blue light agencies, such as SWFRS.” He concluded.
