Loch Ness RNLI give children top tips for water safety in their summer holidays
Nearly 150 schoolchildren were given vital advice from Loch Ness RNLI on how to stay safe in and around the water for their summer holidays.
The RNLI lifeboat station, situated close to schools in Drumnadrochit, delivered water safety messages just before pupils broke up for their holidays.
Linda Izquierdo Ross, a Deputy Launch Authority at Loch Ness RNLI, visited Glen Urquhart Primary School along with two other volunteers, Iain Lee and Diane Gow.
They emphasised the importance of the charity’s Respect the Water message and urged students to remember not to panic if they entered the water accidentally.
The message is to float like a starfish and to breathe once their head is out of the water.
In the afternoon the whole of Balnain Primary visited the lifeboat station at Temple Pier where they spotted dangers in the surrounding water and environment. Lorna Grant, another Loch Ness volunteer, joined Linda in helping the children.
Linda said: ‘The RNLI water safety team would like to thank the teachers and heads of these schools for inviting Loch Ness RNLI. We wish all a happy and safe summer!
‘We would also like to remind everyone that the charity’s Respect the Water campaign is applicable to any water user, and not just children.’
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.