Accidental drownings in West Midlands prompt open water warning
Midlands Air Ambulance is urging people to respect the water, after there were 18 accidental drowning deaths in the region last year.Data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) showed that May 2024 saw the most accidental water-related fatalities, with 193 people dying in the UK in total. Inland waterways accounted for 61 per cent of the deaths.Now, the charity, which covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, the West Midlands and Gloucestershire, wants to ensure the public are being vigilant in or around water."Often we find that people enter the water and don't understand the dangers of it, they don't respect the water", said Liam Webb, a critical care paramedic.
"They get into difficulty because of cold water shock, or they're not swimming in designated areas."NWSF also said that warmer weather often correlated with more water-related fatalities.
"When the weather gets hot we definitely see an increase in people going into the water as they want to cool off," added Mr Webb.The charity said people needed to learn to float if they got into difficulty in water."Lay back, float and that involves submerging your ears and trying to breathe normally," he said."If you find someone in the water, we ask you to call for the emergency services... tell the person in the water to float and throw anything you can to them which could help."Whether that's an emergency life raft buoy, branch or an inflatable, throw that to them in the water."
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'My children adore her and proudly call her Auntie Merrill. The kids were even the first on the dance floor at her wedding, which speaks volumes about how close we are.' Despite Sonica spending 10 years abroad as an expat, their friendship never faltered. Merrill flew out to visit Sonica in Kuwait and they have 'shared countless meals, far too much tequila, late-night conversations and hilarious nights out since'. Sonica recently had the joy of organising Merrill's hen party. 'There is nothing we cannot discuss, from politics and dating to the deeper questions of life,' explains Sonica. 'She gives me steady, thoughtful advice, while I help keep her in tune with younger generational perspectives and encourage mischief.' Their friendship is a two-way street of learning and inspiration. Sonica has taught Merrill not to let others judge or pigeonhole her, describing her as 'eternally optimistic'. 'She just keeps going and never lets anything get her down,' Merrill says. 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She is the producer of The Friendship Blog and author of the seminal book on female friendship 'Best Friends Forever: Surviving a Breakup with Your Best Friend'. Here's her advice: 1. Embrace people who are different Recognise that not all your friends must be 'just like you', in terms of age, gender, social status, lifestyle and so on. If you do not, you limit the universe of potential friends. There is much to be gained by expanding your circle to people who are different. They can add breadth to our lives. 2. Take part in social activities Place yourself in situations where you can meet friends based on shared interests. Join a community group, religious group or gym, or take a class or engage in a hobby, where you can meet the same people on a regular basis and see who might be 'friend-worthy' to you. For example, mah-jong (popular in the 1950s and 1960s) now engages people of all ages because the game is social. 3. Mine your neighbourhood Proximity makes it easy to form friendships and convenient to nurture them. An older or younger neighbour may welcome your friendship, companionship or help. Get outdoors. Walk in a local park or around your area and initiate a smile, hello, and begin a brief conversation. 4. Look for friends at work Working people spend a good amount of time with their colleagues, whether in the office or remotely. Since workers already have something in common, it's an organic way to make friendships with people of different ages and life circumstances. 5. Be open to change Don't succumb to the myth that everyone already has their friends. Friendships at every age are dynamic and change over time. People come and go in our lives as their interests and life circumstances change.
