The death of Kellie Poole, a woman who drowned in the River Goyt during a cold water therapy session, has raised concerns over the absence of safety checks and regulation for such activities. An undiagnosed heart condition and the immersion in cold water were found to have “likely” led to Ms. Poole’s cardiac arrest. While the running of the therapy session had not been a contributing factor, the senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, Peter Nieto, has sent a prevention of future deaths report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over concerns about the safety of cold water therapy sessions.
Mr. Nieto said that his worries were not regarding Ms. Poole’s death in particular, but the overall lack of safety advice and regulation surrounding the cold water therapy industry, which appears to have “very little oversight.” He added that he was unaware of the issuing of specific health and safety guidance, and the limits of current oversight of cold water immersion providers meant that there was no guidance from the HSE or other suitable organizations.
According to Mr. Nieto, local authority environmental health departments were also uncertain about how they could oversee cold water therapy businesses. The water temperature on the day of Ms. Poole’s death was recorded as 10.7C (51.3F). A spokesperson for the HSE has said that they have received the coroner’s letter, will review the concerns that have been raised and respond accordingly.
The inquest heard that Ms. Poole had joined the session having never previously complained of health problems. She had claimed to have a headache after entering the water before falling forward, and attempts were made to revive her after she was pulled from the river. The mother of three, from Droylsden in Tameside, Greater Manchester, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
The absence of regulation for cold water therapy sessions has been highlighted by the death of Kellie Poole. While her death has not been attributed to the running of the therapy session, the senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire has expressed concerns over the lack of safety advice and regulation surrounding the industry. The coroner has sent a report to the HSE, stating that there is no specific health and safety guidance issued for cold water immersion providers. According to reports, local authority environmental health departments are also uncertain about how to oversee cold water therapy businesses
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More