Torridge District Council installs new public rescue equipment for water safety

Torridge District Council has recently undertaken a review of its water safety equipment and installed throw lines in several locations where there were previously lifebuoys. 

The throw lines are stored in bright oranges boxes and can be found across the district where easy access to the water's edge is available, such as slipways and the viewspot at Kenwith Reservoir.  Where a drop to water is present, the typical lifebuoys remain in place.

Should anyone find themselves in difficulty in the water, throw lines and throw bags, can provide a vital lifeline and have several benefits including:

Quick Deployment:  In a rescue situation, every second counts.  Throw bags allow for the rapid deployment of a throw line, which can be thrown accurately to a person in distress.

Visibility:  Throw lines are brightly coloured, making them highly visible in the water - crucial for both the rescuer and the person being rescued.

Versatility: Throw lines can be used in various water environments and are often used by lifeguards, kayakers, boaters, and rescue professionals.

Ease of Use: Both throw lines and throw bags are designed to be user-friendly, even in stressful situations. They are lightweight, easy to handle, and can be quickly recoiled and stored after use.

If you see someone struggling in the water, do not enter the water to attempt a rescue as you may end up in trouble yourself.

Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Services, advises you to:

1.      Call 999

2.      Never jump in the water to rescue someone.

3.      Get the throwline.

4.      Hold the end of the line in one hand and the bag in your other hand.

5.      Throw the bag so that it lands beyond the casualty.

6.      Shout to the casualty to grab hold of the line, not the bag.

7.      Once they have a good grip, stabilise yourself and pull them to safety.

8.      Wait for assistance before trying to live the casualty from the water.

Councillor Philip Hackett, Lead Member for Public Health & Community Safety, said:

"We have some beautiful water areas in Torridge, and we want to ensure that our residents can enjoy them while they are out and about.  The new throw lines will be a valuable addition at some of our most popular sites but, more importantly, we'd ask people to please stay alert and take care by the water so that everyone can go home safe and dry at the end of the day."