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'It's important to know the dangers', say water safety campaigners

Elaine MitchellSouth west reporter, BBC News NI
News imageBBC A woman is smiling at the camera. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a red t-shirt that says Claire professional swimming teacher. Behind her is a courtyard, with people standing around in groups, It's a sunny day. BBC
Claire Cossum organised a water safety awareness day in Lisnaskea

The recent warm spell brought thousands of people to coasts, lakes and rivers to cool down and have fun.

But where there's water, there's danger and campaigners are calling for more education on how to stay safe in the water.

A recent event brought together emergency services, rescue organisations and water safety experts to educate children and adults.

Organiser Claire Cossum said the warm weather can encourage people to take risks.

"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."

News imageA man is standing with a dog over his shoulders. The man is bald, and smiling widely while looking at the dog. The black and white dog, has a red collar on and is looking at the camera. Behind them is an off-road vehicle and people mingling about. It's a bright sunny day.
Trevor Hartley from Search and Rescue Dogs Association with his collie Meg

Recent figures from the National Water Safety Forum show there were 202 accidental water-related fatalities across the UK in 2025.

There are a further 201 cases where the cause is still unknown, meaning the number of accidental fatalities is likely to increase as additional information becomes available from coroners.

In 2025, there were 14 water-related fatalities in Northern Ireland from all recorded causes.

In the Republic of Ireland 26 people have drowned this year according to Water Safety Ireland.

There were fewer fatalities overall compared to the previous years, which campaigners say shows that education is working.

News imageAn inflatable playground sits on top of a lake, It's brightly coloured and has a series of obstacles. 8 people are on top of it, some standing, some falling. The people are dressed in wetsuits. The lake is surrounded by trees and there is a bright, but cloudy sky above.
People having fun on the water at the Share Discovery Village

The water safety event took place at the Share Discovery Village in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh and was organised by Cossum Swim school.

Owner Claire Cossum says water safety is more important now than ever.

"With people staying home more for holidays, more accessibility to paddleboards and recreational swimming we are trying to raise awareness for all families of what to do and how to stay safe in the water."

The water safety event was held in memory of her father, Des who founded the swim school 30 years ago.

"He was so passionate about water safety and how to keep children safe around the water and today is in memory of him, in honour of his legacy"

Offering advice was paddleboarding instructor Colin Lively who said the popularity of the sport has grown rapidly.

"Since the pandemic everybody's gone out and bought one and it's so easy to do."

But he says people underestimate the risks.

"Accidents do happen. It looks simple but... there are little things that you do need to know to keep yourself safe."

News imageA man stands in front of a small marquee. He's in a navy polo shirt and is wearing sunglasses. He's smiling. Behind him the Blue branding of the RNLI can be seen on the marquee, as people stand under it in shade from the bright sun.
Peter Scott from the RNLI was there to offer advice on water safety

Peter Scott is a water safety officer with the RNLI.

"We're trying to get people to change their attitude to how they deal with the water.

"We find that actually education is working really well.

"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. It is a place to have a great amount of fun - if they go properly equipped".

Water safety campaigner Beckie Ramsey from England gave talks throughout the day.

She set up the Doing it for Dylan campaign in memory of her son Dylan Ramsey who was 13 years old when he died in 2011 while swimming in a quarry in Chorley.

"I'm here to educate them so that they can do it safely, so that they can get out of the open water.

"My son wasn't educated so he got in, but he didn't manage to get out."

News imageA woman is looking at the camera. She has a somber expression. She's wearing a white T shirt and has dark red hair pulled back in to a ponytail. Behind her is a peaceful garden scene with trees, shrubs and a stone path.
Beckie Ramsey's 13 year old son Dylan died while swimming in a quarry.

Ms Ramsey told listeners that if someone gets into trouble they should not enter the water to help.

"One casualty can easily turn into two or three or four."

And she stressed the importance of swimming in supervised locations: "No lifeguard, no swimming."

Her advice for anyone who falls into open water is to "stay calm, get on your back and try and float".

"I don't want another mum to feel what I feel. It's been 15 years and time isn't a healer when it's your child.

"He was 13 years old and I think about him every second of every day."