RNLI issues plea for people in the Highlands to stay safe around open water after spate of drowning accidents across Scotland
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Four people drowned in Loch Lomond in the space of two days, including a nine-year-old boy and 16-year-old youth, and authorities are fearful of a repeat further north.
Highland RNLI spokeswoman Yvette Kershaw said: “Even in the recent warm weather the water around our coasts, and in canals and lochs, can be dangerously cold with strong currents.
“The key message we wish to share is to have a plan for your activity, including checking tide times, and knowing local conditions like rip tides and under currents.
“Try not to be in the water by yourself, and if you must then make sure someone knows where you are and how long you intend to be.
“It is really vital to either wear a lifejacket or have a buoyancy aid, and to have a means for calling for help.
“In case you do fall into the water unexpectedly we are urging people to be familiar with our Float to Live message.
“Try to relax, lean back, extend your arms and legs and float until you’ve got your breathing under control.
“Call for help or swim to safety when you can.”
Ross-shire Journal columnist Nicky Marr is a keen wild swimmer and said it was important to follow some basic rules to stay safe.
“I started swimming in lochs and the sea around the Highlands about four years ago – I started with my sister, who was already a strong and experienced open water swimmer, and she taught me how to stay safe,” she said.
She stressed the importance of knowing any body of water you are swimming in and added: “I always come out of the water before I feel I need to – better to come back again another day – and always have a hot drink and something sweet to eat afterwards, even in summer.
“Even after four or more years, I never swim alone, always check with a Facebook group or other swimming friends for safety tips/advice before swimming in a new location, and I always use a float.”
Earlier this week Ms Kershaw shared a Facebook post detailing an incident where a pet dog got into trouble while swimming at Chanonry Point on the Black Isle in 2015.
She said it was important that pet owners were vigilant too.
“Dogs are strong swimmers but in fast moving water they can easily be overcome or swept away.”
