A water safety training programme has been introduced for businesses and residents along the River Clyde as part of a life-saving initiative.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have teamed up to deliver vital safety training in the hopes of protecting people from preventable drowning in the Clyde.
The Waterside Responder Scheme provides businesses and residents with equipment and teaches them crucial information about how to save someone from the river.
In a volunteer-led demonstration at Springfield Quay on Thursday, employees were told of the dangers of frigid waters and the steps necessary to rescue a casualty safely from the water.
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If you see someone in distress next to or in the water, it’s imperative to phone 999 or 112 and never enter the water yourself.
To avoid cold water shock, call out to the person in trouble, reassure them, and tell them to float on their back.
Safety training also included teaching local staff how to use a throw bag properly.
Marc McGill, station commander for prevention and protection at the SFRS, told the Glasgow Times: “We’re teaching local businesses the importance of water safety and the message behind the water safety.
“The training that we’re doing will provide the safety for the rescuer as well as the person that’s in the water.”
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Mr McGill added: “Time is always of the essence when someone is in the water.
“It’s very, very important to call 999 as soon as possible, but if the local businesses have the knowledge of the safety equipment that’s available to them up and down the Clydeside they can help someone that wee bit quicker, which will make our job a little bit easier when we turn up.”
Michael Avril, water safety lead for RNLI Scotland, also stressed the importance of phoning 999 as soon as possible and commended the partnership organisations in Glasgow for helping to deliver the training.
He said: “This partnership approach to water safety has allowed us to work with the emergency services to deliver a waterside responder course to key businesses in Glasgow along the River Clyde.
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"Staff at these venues will now be better prepared to respond to incidents in the Clyde.
“They are the ones most likely to be there when the risk of accident is most prevalent.
“It could be someone taking a seemingly innocent swim and suffering cold water shock, or through an accident where someone never intended to be in the water.
“The idea is that these businesses will be able to encourage good behaviour in these environments by giving the public knowledge and advice, as well as assisting if someone did get into difficulty."
A spokesperson for The Quay said: “Being located directly on the banks of the River Clyde, we are delighted to welcome emergency services crew who are carrying out this extremely beneficial and life-saving training for the various businesses within the leisure complex and we are encouraging all businesses and their staff to take up this excellent free training opportunity.”
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