Open Water Training in Saltford

We are running three open-water training sessions in the River Avon at Saltford this year – and we'd love members of Keynsham LSC and Bristol LSC to join us! You’ll be able to put your skills to the test in a real-life river environment. No previous open-water lifesaving experience is required to take part.

During our carefully graduated sessions you’ll learn essential water safety skills, including how to spot hazards and stay safe in open water. We’ll teach you how to react if you see someone in difficulty in the water, and how to rescue them safely. You’ll learn communication skills, and use specialised rescue equipment such as torpedo buoys and throw-bags.

These sessions are free but booking is essential.

Open Water Training Sessions

The training will take place on Sun 21 Jun, Sun 28 Jun and Sun 5 Jul. We'll run two groups each evening, as follows:

• Group 1 - 5:30pm-6:30pm - aimed at ages 8-11 (Rookie Bronze / Silver Standard)
• Group 2 - 6:30pm-7:45pm - aimed at ages 12+ (Rookie Silver / Gold Standard)

The training will take place at Bristol Avon Sailing Club, Mead Lane, Saltford, Bristol, BS31 3ER (www.what3words.com/limelight.dusted.interviewer). Free parking is available directly behind the sailing club (drive through the wooden gate on the left, immediately after the clubhouse).

Pre-requisites and Water Safety

No previous experience of open-water lifesaving is required; however, participants must be at least 8 years old and have a good level of water fitness (participants should be able to complete a continuous swim of 50m on their front and 50m on their back, and be able to tread water for 2 minutes).

With a few simple precautions, swimming in open water is generally safe. There is always a small risk of infection associated with swimming in open water, but this can be minimised by a few common-sense preventative measures: cover open wounds with a plaster before entering the water, avoid swallowing the water, shower thoroughly after training, and wash your face and hands before eating or drinking. If you feel ill or develop flu-like symptoms up to 30 days after swimming in open water, you should take the precaution of seeing a doctor.

All participants must watch this short video before attending: www.tinyurl.com/KLSC-Open-Water

Kit List

For all sessions: participants must wear a wetsuit (we recommend one with full arms and legs because it'll be warmer and provide some protection from scrapes), a brightly coloured swim hat, and lace-up trainers/wetsuit boots to wear in the water (not sandals or crocs because they’ll fall off). Footwear MUST be worn at all times including in the water (unless specifically directed by the group instructor)! Participants should not wear any jewellery or bring any valuables with them.

Questions

If you have any questions about these events, please don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss.

Yours sincerely,

David "Blondie" Fielding
07921 719 291 / chair@klsc.co.uk