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A recent period of warm weather saw many people flocking to the coastlines, lakes, and rivers to cool off and enjoy outdoor activities. However, water safety campaigners are emphasizing the need for greater awareness about the potential dangers that come with water-based recreation. An event dedicated to water safety brought together emergency personnel, rescue teams, and experts to provide education on how to stay safe in aquatic environments.
Claire Cossum, the organiser of the event held in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, highlighted the increased risks that come with sunny weather. She said, “When it’s a hot sunny day people are going to go out and go to the water to do activities they don’t do all the time so it’s important they know the dangers to look out for.” Cossum, who runs the Cossum Swim School, also spoke about the growing necessity of water safety awareness, noting that with more people staying close to home for vacations and enjoying activities like paddleboarding and recreational swimming, families must understand how to protect themselves around water.
In 2025, Northern Ireland recorded 14 fatalities related to water incidents. Although this number represents a decline compared to previous years, indicating that educational efforts are having a positive impact, there are still 201 cases where the cause of death remains unknown. These pending investigations suggest that the final count of accidental drownings might increase once coroners’ reports are completed. Trevor Hartley from the Search and Rescue Dogs Association, pictured with his collie Meg at the event, also contributed to the safety messages shared throughout the day.
Several prominent voices in water safety participated in the event. Paddleboarding instructor Colin Lively discussed the surge in popularity of the sport following the pandemic, stating, “Since the pandemic everybody’s gone out and bought one and it’s so easy to do.” Despite this enthusiasm, he cautioned that many underestimate the risks involved, saying, “Accidents do happen. It looks simple but… there are little things that you do need to know to keep yourself safe.” Similarly, Peter Scott, a water safety officer with the RNLI, stressed the importance of changing attitudes toward water safety, mentioning, “People are more aware of what can happen and how to protect themselves and the equipment to use so they can have fun in the water.” Beckie Ramsey, who runs the Doing it for Dylan campaign in memory of her son who tragically drowned in 2011, urged caution and education, advising that if someone falls into open water, it is critical to “stay calm, get on your back and try and float,” and warned against attempting to rescue without proper supervision. She firmly stated, “No lifeguard, no swimming,” reflecting the importance of supervised water activities.
The event served not only as an educational opportunity but also as a tribute to the legacy of Claire Cossum’s father, Des, the founder of her swim school 30 years ago, who was deeply passionate about preventing water-related accidents. All participants agreed on the vital importance of water safety education as both a preventative measure and a means to ensure that families can safely enjoy water activities
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