One Darlington July 2022

A lesson
in water
safety
Sarah-Jayne Sams knows only too well the
importance of learning to swim and staying
safe in the water, having nearly drowned
when she was 14.
Now working as a swim teacher and trainer
assessor for lifeguards at the Dolphin Centre,
Sarah-Jayne teaches others this vital life skill
and has been visiting primary schools to
highlight the dangers of water and how to stay
safe to pupils.
“When I was 14, I had a bad experience in the
sea, I was with a group of friends when one
of them got into trouble in a rip tide,” explains
Sarah-Jayne. “I went to help and managed
to get her to where she could stand, but I
got sucked back in and was stuck under the
water, even though I was a strong swimmer
and had done a few years of life saving. All I
remember from the day is a burning sensation
when the water was going down my throat,
then wanting to go to sleep - I woke up in
hospital with a very sore throat and sore ribs.
“So the water safety talks are very important
to me, if I can help educate children in water
safety it will hopefully help save their lives.”
We have also been running a programme of
extra sessions in the pool to help improve
children’s swimming skills after lessons were
postponed during the pandemic.
Never let your children go
near water without an adult
Never jump in or suddenly
immerse yourself in cold water
as the shock could kill you
Look out for warning
signs and follow them
If you fall in the water, don’t panic
– extend your arms and legs to
float and shout for help
If you see someone in difficulty,
don’t get into the water to try to
rescue them - shout for help and
dial 999 for the fire and rescue
service, and if possible, throw
them something that floats
Download the what3words app.
It can help 999 know exactly
where to send help.
WATER SAFETY CODE
For more useful tips visit the Royal Life Saving Society UK website www.rlss.org.uk
www.darlington.gov.uk one Darlington 19