Latest news with #waterSafety
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pueblo coroner identifies man who died in June 7 swimming accident at Lake Pueblo
The third apparent drowning at Lake Pueblo in less than a month was identified June 10 by the Pueblo County Coroner's Office as a 44-year-old Centennial man. Daniel Duane Strawn was found at Rock Creek Cove floating unconscious on the afternoon of June 7. He was pronounced dead on the scene despite life-saving efforts. CPW rangers responded at 2:11 p.m. to a report of an unconscious man, later identified as Strawn, who allegedly jumped into Rock Creek Cove because "they were hot," according to witnesses. Nearby witnesses who were swimming and water skiing soon saw Strawn floating unconscious, and with the help of a nearby boater, pulled him into a boat and began CPR before calling 911. CPW rangers arrived within six minutes, and one of the rangers jumped into the boat, taking over CPR on the victim. The boat drove to the North Boat Ramp, where CPR continued. A Flight for Life helicopter landed at the park, but Strawn was already dead. 'This death is under investigation, but it appears to be a tragic accident,' Lake Pueblo Park Manager Joe Stadterman said in a news release. 'We offer our condolences to the family and friends of this victim.' Stadterman said in the release that the death is especially troubling given all the recent efforts by CPW to raise awareness of water safety with park guests. CPW officers installed two life-jacket loaner stations at Lake Pueblo State Park where lake users can borrow a life jacket for free. The stations are located at the South Fishing and Sailboard areas. 'This is yet another heartbreaking loss of life,' Stadterman said. 'It underscores the message we have been stressing to recreate responsibly and to wear life preservers when on or near the water." Strawn's death is the third apparent drowning at Lake Pueblo since mid-May: Derrick Lee Vigil, 28, drowned when his fishing boat capsized at Lake Pueblo on May 30; on May 14, Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda, 53, died after he went into the lake to help his two children and their friends as they struggled to swim in rough waters. None of the victims were wearing life jackets at the time of their apparent drownings, according to CPW. Wear a life jacket. Put a whistle on your jacket so you can call for help. Be aware of your surroundings — the water gets deep quickly. Be aware of the weather, high winds and storms can come up fast. Check your boat and all required boating safety gear. Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths. Know that stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times. Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency. More on Lake Pueblo water safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges water safety at Lake Pueblo this summer Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Man who drowned at Lake Pueblo on June 7 identified by coroner
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Mum calls for water safety education in schools after son's death
The mother of one of the two children who drowned off Bournemouth beach has called for water safety to be taught in Abbess's 17-year-old son Joe died on the same day as 12-year-old Sunnah Khan in May Mrs Abbess listened to a backbench debate led by Southampton Itchen's Labour MP Darren Paffey about water Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell said the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill "will once implemented extend the requirement to teach swimming and water safety to all state-funded schools". "We will never know what water safety advice Joe knew," Mrs Abbess told the BBC. Joe, from Southampton, and Sunnah, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, were dragged out to sea by a rip current that witnesses described as going "from zero to absolute chaos with no warning".Eight other people were rescued by paramedics, and Mrs Abbess said she did not know that rip currents "were a thing around the British coast.""They are ferocious and they are dangerous and people need to be aware," she added. Water safety is only a mandatory part of the curriculum for PE at primary school, something Mrs Abbess said she wanted to see widened ahead of the parliamentary said if Joe had survived he would want to tell people about water dangers."If this can get into schools through education and on the national curriculum for all children in England that will feel like something in Joe's name, in Sunnah's name, in the other children that have died," she said."Ultimately, it will be a glimmer of hope for those bereaved families in the darkness."Speaking before the debate, Mr Paffey said Scotland and Wales had a minister with responsibility for water safety."I'm asking the government to appoint one for England too," he added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Science
- CTV News
Could the colour of your child's swimsuit save their life?
There's no scientific proof, but it's a question worth asking, could the colour of your child's swimsuit play a role in how visible they are in the water? Some water safety experts think it might. A company called Alive Solutions, which specializes in water safety, conducted a few experiments to explore how swimsuit colours perform in both pools and lakes. In two separate experiments they found that certain swimsuit colours are easier to spot in a swimming pool versus open water. Independently conducted testing The tests were conducted independently and not published in a peer-reviewed journal. In controlled tests, swimsuits in 14 different colours were submerged in different bodies of water to observe how visible they were under certain conditions. In a swimming pool, with a light-coloured bottom, the company's tests showed that neon pink and neon orange seemed to be most visible. White and light blue colours, on the other hand, tended to disappear, blending in with the pool bottom. Darker colours showed up against the light pool bottom, but could often be dismissed for shadows, leaves or dirt. In lake water, the tests showed that bright neon colours including neon orange, yellow and green were visible but neon pink did not perform well. White swimsuits appeared more vibrant due to reflecting light. All other colours were not very visible. Swimsuit Colour Test The company Alive Solutions tested how visible various swimsuit colours are against a light-coloured swimming pool bottom. The top photo in each section is the fabric underwater, and the bottom photo is the fabric with surface agitation. (Courtesy Natalie Livingston via CNN Newsource) Many factors play a role According to the Lifesaving Society Ontario, many other factors play a role in visibility, including glare, water clarity or even wave action. 'Dressing in swimwear that is high-contrast to your environment may increase your ability to be seen in the water, but there are many factors such as glare, water clarity and water agitation that can still reduce visibility. There is a lack of formal research to support wearing one colour over another in specific settings under specific conditions,' Stephanie Bakalar, senior communications officer of Lifesaving Society Ontario told CTV News. Still, even if these results haven't been formally validated, they point to a simple step that could improve safety. That said, no colour choice replaces the need for constant supervision. 'In Ontario, 100 per cent of drowning deaths in children under five is caused by absent or distracted supervision.' Bakalar said. 'It is important that when children are around water that they are directly supervised by a responsible adult and in the case of weak or non-swimmers they remain within arms' reach.' Water safety Approved lifejackets offer another layer of protection, especially on boats. Provincial experts recommend lifejackets in bold colours. 'We recommend lifejackets be red, orange or yellow to increase your visibility on the water and approved by Transport Canada,' Bakalar continued. The safest place to swim is where trained lifeguards are on duty. Fewer than one per cent of drowning deaths in the province occur in lifeguard-supervised areas, according to Lifesaving Society Ontario. 'The Society's national lifeguards are trained to scan the surface, middle and bottom of their supervision zones and maneuver to reduce visual disruptions such as glare. Water quality standards in pools are set to ensure clarity allows for visibility to the bottom. Natural bodies of water present different challenges to visibility, but lifeguard supervised waterfront zones are established to create the most visibility possible,' Bakalar said. So, does swimsuit colour save lives? It is not scientifically proven. But in the approach to water safety which starts with supervision and includes life jackets, swimming lessons, and safe environments it could be a small change that makes a difference.
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Warning over dangers of rivers, lakes and waterways as temperatures soar
Warnings are being issued over the risks surrounding rivers, lakes and waterways as temperatures are set to reach heatwave levels in parts of the country. Temperatures are rising this week and are forecast to peak at 33C on Saturday. London Fire Brigade (LFB) has attended more than 280 water-related incidents this year so far, an increase of about 15% compared with the same period in 2024, it said. They have included incidents such as sinking and capsized boats, individuals trapped in mud or caught by the tide, and people and animals in distress in the water. Fifteen incidents resulted in people drowning in London, the fire brigade said. As part of a national push during Drowning Prevention Week, LFB is increasing engagement with communities to raise awareness of water safety risks. During a visit to Kingston Fire Station, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey met local firefighters and observed a live demonstration of the brigade's river flume tank. The tank includes a hydraulic flume with a range of features such as bridges, rocks and weirs to demonstrate how water behaves in rivers. Since its introduction at Twickenham Fire Station last year, the tank has been used across London to show schools, youth groups, communities and stakeholders how even experienced swimmers can quickly get into difficulty in open water. Pam Oparaocha, assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: 'We're working closely with MPs, schools and local communities to help people understand the serious water safety risks as summer approaches. 'With warm weather and school holidays on the horizon, we want people, especially young people, to enjoy our waterways safely, and that starts with education. 'Strong currents, underwater hazards and cold water shock can be deadly. It's important to know the risks and to familiarise yourself with lifesaving equipment like throwlines, which are available along many of London's waterways. There's a wealth of guidance on our website to help people stay safe this summer.' Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for the fire service, said: 'London's rivers, lakes and waterways can look very appealing when the temperatures rise, however, they can contain hidden dangers. 'The mayor and I are working to improve the capital's waterways for everyone to enjoy, and I urge everyone to heed London Fire Brigade's advice to stay safe in and around water. 'As the hot weather continues and with the summer holidays looming, this timely work with young people will help save lives and build a safer London for everyone.'
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Government looking at making lifejackets compulsory
Girl in canoe wearing lifejacket. Photo: 123RF The Associate Transport Minister says he's willing to look into what advocates call a common sense approach to lifejacket wearing. A coroner has suggested a consistent, nationwide law - making it compulsory for people to wear lifejackets on small vessels. It's a move Water Safety NZ says would save lives. It comes after findings a mother and her young son would have had better chances of surviving a capsizing, if they been wearing them. The pair were on a scalloping trip in Auckland's Manukau Harbour when the boat skippered by the woman's partner was hit by a wave and overturned, leaving them and two friends onboard clinging to the hull for hours. It was November 2022, and while the two friends swam for more than two hours to shore for help, the trio briefly found safety on a sandbar before falling into deep water again. None of them were wearing lifejackets or had cellphones within reach when the boat flipped. Tragically, Gemma Ferregel and her 10-year-old son Ryder drowned, and her partner Kevin McQuire treaded water until he was rescued. Associate Transport Minister James Meager told Morning Report he'll ask officials to look at a members bill proposed by fellow MP Cameron Brewer making lifejackets compulsory for under 16s, and see if it can be applied across the country. "Traditionally, the waterways have been controlled by the local harbourmasters and councils, and they get to set variations on rules depending on their local situation," he said. "But, a consistent rule across the country, if there's appetite for it, if it demonstrates that there would be real safety benefits, it's something we could look at." Associate Transport Minister James Meager. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Meager said people needed to make the right decisions while out on the water. "Maritime New Zealand invests quite a significant amount of money into boat safety education campaigns, and just making sure that, when we're out on the water, we always wear lifejackets, we have waterproof ways of calling for help, we check the forecast - those simple things can really improve our boat safety record." "But, in terms of a nationally consistent rule, we're going to be getting there with Cameron Brewer's bill, and it's certainly something that I will ask officials to look at and see whether we can use his bill as a way to make that consistent across the country." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
