Keep out of the river

THE rescue authorities at Bath are wasting so much time and resources searching and  pulling people out of the Avon that they have started a campaign they hope will reduce the number.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service attend a incident at an average of one a month, which takes its toll of both manpower and resources, so a campaign has been started to warn of the dangers of the river, Alan Tilbury reports.

One a month

A report of the incidents showed one of a man missing for a month before his  body was pulled out of the river, with such prolonged searches hazardous to the rescuers and making heavy demands on police and fire service resources.

The rescuers have to undergo specialist training to national standards, a spokesman related, and the impact on the individual, as well as the emergency services brought in to deal with the aftermath is such that it warrants efforts to try to reduce the incidence of water-related incidents.

Campaign

A poster and media campaign, is to be repeated this year while fire officials will also launch a programme in schools devised by the RNLI teaching water safety and basic life support first aid.

It is not only people falling into the river, but those who purposely jump from the bridges into the Avon during the summer months, some of whom have to be rescued.