18 June 2026

Over 500 local primary school pupils attended Braywick Leisure Centre by Leisure Focus on 17 June to learn about how to stay safe in and around water, including a live water rescue demonstration from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services. 

The Drowning Prevention Week event, organised by Tom Dean Swim School, supported by RLSS UK, and hosted by triple Olympic champion swimmer Tom Dean MBE, educated young people on life-saving skills and knowledge, such as how to recognise dangers around water and how to help if someone is in trouble. 

Two groups of students started with an assembly on following the Water Safety Code. The Water Safety Code includes always staying together, stopping to think about and assess dangers before getting into water, and in an emergency calling 999 for help and using Float to Live. The schoolchildren were eager to point out risks they spotted around water, from jumping into a cold, shallow river to swimming outside of the red and yellow lifeguard flags on the beach. They asked engaging questions before gathering around the pool.  

The live demonstration by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service began with showing how to float if you fall into water or get in trouble. This includes lying on your back with your ears in the water and your chin up, while slowly moving your arms and legs. The float technique was followed by advice on how to call for help and self-rescue to the side of the pool once breathing and heartrate are under control.  

The team then demonstrated water rescue equipment, including throw bags, for reaching someone in trouble. Volunteers were able to demonstrate that the underhand technique and rope pulling are easy for a bystander to do in an emergency. Lastly, the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) showed how the team approaches a person in open water and carries them to safety. 

After a photo with Tom and RLSS UK’s mascot, Perry, the pupils left the event with an important piece of homework: to share the Water Safety Code with their parents, siblings, and friends, and ensure everyone can enjoy water safely this summer. 

RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week campaign, run annually for over a decade across the UK and Ireland, provides free vital water safety education targeted at children, teenagers, families, and carers ahead of the summer holidays, when drownings are most likely to occur. The campaign supports schools in delivering water safety education and collaborates with industry partners, volunteers, and emergency services to create communities free from drowning.

Learn more about Drowning Prevention Week