Safety message issued as better weather descends across Scotland

A recent spate of drowning and accidents in water across Scotland has led a leading charity issuing safety advice ahead of warmer weather.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS), the drowning prevention charity, has appealed for people to take note of simple safety messages, to raise awareness of the hazards and avoid further, preventable deaths from drowning.

Kenny MacDermid, drowning prevention coordinator, said: “We have enjoyed a spell of warm weather in Scotland and, as the weather improvers and we head into the summer, it’s natural for people to make a beeline for water, to have fun and cool off.

“All we ask is that people are aware of the hazards and take note of simple water safety advice.”

The charity’s summer water safety advice offers simple steps for staying safe around water at home and abroad including: look out for lifeguards; water is colder than it looks; don’t go too far out; and the current is always stronger than expected.

The warning comes after surfer Matthew Bryce was rescued after 32 hours at sea, a diver was rescued after 11 hours at sea last week and a woman’s body was pulled from the River Ayr last week.