Lifesaving water safety and rescue training from RNLI given to River Clyde businesses

Businesses in Glasgow located along the River Clyde are being offered potentially lifesaving water safety and rescue training under a new initiative.

The RNLI is teaming up with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) with the Waterside Responder initiative to better prepare employees of local businesses to be able to respond to potential incidents in the water.

Training will be provided on the dangers that cold water poses and participants will be provided with the knowledge and equipment to help rescue people safely should they get into difficulty in the water.

The scheme will teach local employees how to use a throw bag and what to do when people get into distress in or next to the water.

The potentially lifesaving throw bags, a 20-metre float line used to pull a casualty to safety, will be supplied to all businesses involved.

Recently, the RNLI has been delivering sessions for members of the SFRS, who will then also help to pass on the charity’s training and messages to these waterside businesses and local people.

Michael Avril, RNLI water safety lead for Scotland said: “This partnership approach to water safety has allowed us to work with the emergency services to deliver a Waterside Responder course to key businesses in Glasgow along the River Clyde.

“Staff at these venues will now be better prepared to respond to incidents in the Clyde.

“They are the ones most likely to be there when the risk of accident is most prevalent. It could be someone taking a seemingly innocent swim and suffering cold water shock, or through an accident where someone never intended to be in the water.

“The idea is that these businesses will be able to encourage good behaviour in these environments by giving the public knowledge and advice, as well as assisting if someone did get into difficulty.”