River Safety – #GotYaBack

#GotYaBack was developed by students at Bath College to keep their friends safe after an increase in incidences in the River Avon.

The ‘Got Ya Back’ message is, literally have your friends back! We all love having fun, it’s just about doing it safely.

Here are a few tips on staying safe on a night out:

Know how you are getting home
Make sure you swap phone numbers in case you get separated
Have a place that you would meet up if that happened
Create an ICE contact on your phone
Stick with your friends
Never leave a drink unattended
Avoid walking near the river, use lit and public paths and the SCP River Safety Map
In an emergency, dial 999
Install the what3words app on your phone, so you can communicate your location to emergency services if necessary

Here are our top tips for staying safe near waterways and weirs during the warmer weather:

don’t swim alone – but if you do, tell friends where you’re going and download the What3Words app to identify exactly where you are in the event of an emergency
be aware of the #HiddenDangers – water is often deeper than you think, there may be hidden currents, unseen rocks, or rubbish
if you are concerned about someone’s safety in the water, or are in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire Service and Ambulance
if you are in trouble in the water, remember to #FloatToLive. Fight your instinct to swim, control your breathing, and lie on your back to float

If you are using local beauty spots near to rivers or weirs, please:

look our for those around you and make sure your friends aren’t taking unnecessary risks – #MatesMatter
be aware of the impact that noise from music on phones or speakers has on local residents
take any rubbish home with you

Where to find support and information:

B&NES Council – River Safety

Canal & River Trust – Safety on our waterways

Download our interactive river safety map here – SCP River Safety Map