Grieving mother helps launch new water safety pack for schools

Grieving mother helps launch new water safety pack for schools

The mother of a teenage drowning victim has joined forces with water company United Utilities in a bid to save lives. 

Beckie Ramsay has recorded a sobering interview about the loss of her son Dylan as part of a new reservoir safety information pack for schools.

The launch of the initiative comes during Drowning Prevention Week 2014, which runs from June 21-29.

Beckie, from Chorley, Lancashire, lost her 13-year-old son Dylan three years ago when he got into difficulties while playing with friends in a quarry lake. Despite being a strong swimmer, the cold water on a hot summer day proved fatal.

Now on a mission to educate young people about the dangers associated with swimming in reservoirs, quarry lakes and other bodies of outside water, Beckie is supporting United Utilities’ water safety awareness packs for schools with her emotional film, Dylan’s Story, in which she remembers her son and the day he died. 

Beckie said: “It was hard doing the interview for the film, it always will be. But if hearing about Dylan’s death means that one less young person will be tempted to go into the water this summer, then it’s worth it.

“I’m pleased the film is going to be used as a teaching aid as part of this pack. People need to be aware of the danger.”

The resource pack, which is available online, includes:

·         Three videos: ‘Not A Game’, ‘A Cold That Can Kill’ and ‘Dylan’s Story’ which cover the theory, medical facts and real life impact of reservoir danger

·         A discussion guide based around each film to highlight learning points

·         Additional learning activities and information sources

Schools or community groups can download their water safety resource pack from www.unitedutilities.com/reservoir-safety. 

The fire service is often called to tragic incidents involving people swimming in water and Brigade Manager Dawn Whittaker, Lead on Water Safety for the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), said: “Rebecca is an inspiration. This video is a powerful tool.

“It conveys the heartache that the Ramsay family has been through: but even more than that, hopefully people that watch it will heed the messages in it.”

Mark Byard, United Utilities’ Head of Health and Safety, said: “Every year, particularly during summer, young people are often tempted to take a dip in what appear to be safe places to swim.

“Unfortunately, reservoirs and quarry lakes are far from safe. Cold water, hidden debris, and underwater currents from pipework, mean that they are extremely dangerous.”

He added: “It’s important to get this message out there from an early age. We hope this new pack will be invaluable for anyone looking to warn young people about the dangers of water.”

For more information on water safety, visit www.unitedutilities.com/reservoir-safety. For updates on Beckie Ramsay’s own campaign ‘Doing it for Dylan’, visit www.facebook.com/DoingItForDylan.