Latest news with #watersafety
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Family rescued from Arkansas River
(PUEBLO, Colo.)– A rescue was caught on camera in Pueblo County on Monday, June 9, when bystanders pulled three people out from the Arkansas River after their tube flipped at the Waterworks Park in the Steel City. Multiple people have already drowned in Colorado this year, and on Monday, a family went under the rapids right in front FOX21's camera crew as reporter Carolynn Felling was about to interview the Pueblo Fire Department about water safety. The family went from enjoying a day on the river to struggling to stay afloat in a matter of seconds. 'You know, he could have lost his life. She could have lost her life, and her family,' said Rebecca Helbermin, a witness who saw the family go under. It can happen to anyone in a moment. 'If she hadn't asked for help, she probably wouldn't have made it. She was yelling for help and then those guys came and tried to help,' said Helbermin. The family almost lost their lives tubing down the Arkansas River at a popular water park in Pueblo. 'Nobody should be in the water today, especially with the flows that we have today,' said Tim Trujillo, Public Information Officer with the Pueblo Fire Department. As the family made their way down a steep drop, their tube flipped and they went under, and the only one wearing a life jacket was a little boy. 'They were rescued by a bystander here on the river, they refused care, but it all goes back to understanding what's going on. Thankfully, there was someone here who had some experience in the water and was able to get in there and get them out,' said Trujillo. The park is a popular spot for various water activities, but it can be extremely dangerous with high tides and fast currents. 'The little boy had a hard time even breathing and so did the father, my thought is if you're going down there you need to have protection,' said Helbermin. The Pueblo Fire Department said the park is designed to spin you out of the current using large boulders to help separate the fast speeds. 'Everything here is engineered to kind of kick you out of that main wave, even to the outside, where this softer, slower water will bring you back up to where you started,' said Trujillo. However, if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, the fire department said it's key not to panic. The cold shock when you fall or dive into the water can cause your muscles to cramp, making it difficult to swim. 'To us, that's the most important part is being prepared. This water's really cold, especially when you get it in your mouth and in your lungs, that shock effect locks us up a little bit,' said Trujilo. The Edge in Pueblo offers life jackets for anyone interested in participating in water activities. Colorado law and Pueblo municipal code requires life jackets for all water activities, and you should always check water levels and speeds before making the trip. For more water safety tips click the link above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
02-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Everything you need to know about paddle boarding in the UK
The health benefits of being near water, so-called 'blue spaces', are profound. From the noise, smell and even the light reflecting on the surface, water – whether fresh or sea – has been proven to help relax and revive us. In the past decade, the popularity of paddle boarding as a way to enjoy our coasts and inland waterways has risen exponentially. It is a gentle and accessible activity for all ages that requires minimal investment. As well as benefitting our mental state, paddle boarding is a brilliant physical workout improving balance and coordination, strengthening the core and building cardio endurance while being easy on the joints and pleasurable to boot. But being on the water is not without danger. In 2023, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescued 22 paddle boarders across the UK, up from three rescues in 2019. There have also been fatalities – most recently a tragic incident involving four people in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in 2021. Since then, a national governing body has been formed – Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing), which works with the RNLI and water authorities around the UK to increase awareness of stand-up paddle board (SUP) safety. Paddle UK is also working with training provider British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) to establish standards and consistency in SUP qualifications and safety across the country, expected to be published in August. 'Rivers, lakes and the sea can so quickly turn from appealing places of calm to a hostile environment,' says professional paddle boarder and former lifeguard Brendon Prince, who set up water safety charity Above Water in 2017. He works tirelessly to educate anyone planning to take to the water on the dangers – whether of rip currents, cold shock or fast-flowing water – and what simple steps can be taken to avoid an accident. This is how to stay safe on the water while paddle boarding. Paddleboarding safety tips Get a lesson from a qualified instructor After buying a board, consider spending an additional £50 to learn the fundamentals of balance, control, technique, self-rescue and safety planning. SUP instructor and BSUPA chairman Andrew Tee said: 'A little bit of tuition goes a long way. Think of paddle boarding like skiing: you wouldn't just take a cable car to the top of a mountain and give it a go.' Be sure to check that instructors or tour leaders are qualified to teach in the conditions you are planning to paddle – ask for their qualifications and cross-reference with Paddle UK or BSUPA.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews tackle trash and water risks ahead of beach crowds in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — As thousands of visitors head to Norfolk's beaches this holiday weekend, city crews are gearing up to keep the shorelines both clean and safe. Previously: Beach & water safety: 'We want everybody to be prepared' From Willoughby Spit to East Beach, Norfolk's Waste Management Strike Team will be out before dawn each day, servicing more than 100 trash cans across the city's 7.4 miles of beachfront. With larger summer crowds expected, officials say maintaining the cleanliness of the sand is more than just cosmetic — it's about preserving the environment and protecting marine life. 'We have two crews that'll be working nonstop on the beach,' said Tariq DeBerry, a refuse inspector with the city's Waste Management Division. 'Be a beach hero. You know, make a splash, pick up trash.' The city is using Kubotas and compact automated trucks to safely remove litter without disturbing sand dunes or beachgoers. While the sanitation team handles what's on land, another crew is watching the water. For the first time since 2019, Norfolk has restored lifeguard coverage at two of its three public beaches: Ocean View Beach Park and Community Beach Park. 'We had a shallow water rescue yesterday,' said Dan Jones, head of Norfolk's Aquatics, Beaches and Open Water Division. 'We had a medical emergency involving an unconscious man. This is just during our training time.' Jones said swimmers should take caution, especially near sandbars and underwater troughs, where water depth can change suddenly. 'Never swim alone,' he said. 'And if you're a weak swimmer, don't go past your waist. If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore — east or west — not straight back in.' The city has also installed a beach flag warning system at public access points. Green flags mean normal conditions; yellow flags indicate rough surf or moderate hazards; and red flags warn of electrical storms or dangerous marine life. Norfolk is also providing free public lifejackets for children and adults, available at guarded beaches throughout the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Mother whose son drowned in Massachusetts pool hopes to help families prevent future tragedies
A Massachusetts mother who lost her son to a drowning in 2022 is urging other parents to be careful with their children when they're at the pool or the beach this summer. "It's almost like my body is reliving that day and everything, I can feel it, like the whole commotion," said Sipho Mangcu. "Living my worst nightmare" Her 4-year-old son, Biko, drowned in a pool at a home in Brookline back in May 2022. She and her family were celebrating the start of summer when someone noticed Biko unresponsive in the pool. When asked how no one noticed Biko, Mangcu said, "This is a human thing, you don't understand it until it really actually happens. You can't explain it. You can't blink when there are kids around the pool." Memorial Day brings back hard memories for Mangcu. She said she hopes her grief can serve as a warning for families to be careful. "Hell, every single day, it's like I'm still living my worst nightmare," said Mangcu. "This is why it's so important to me. I don't want to see any other parent living what I am living right now." Biko Mangcu in an undated family photo. Mangcu family Water safety tips Mangcu's words were echoed by first responders and state officials at a news conference Wednesday at Revere Beach, with Massachusetts State Police Dive Team member Robert MacAleese saying nearly all drownings are preventable. "First and foremost, supervise your children around the water. Water adds a potential risk when there are activities around it," MacAleese said. The state's Department of Conservation and Recreation is planning to add additional lifeguards to its beaches and pools. DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo said free swimming lessons for children are also being offered again this year through the state's Learn to Swim program.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Girl, 11, who drowned at water park birthday party was unlawfully killed, coroner rules
Tragic Loss The inquest was told that there were no signs warning of deep water near to where the youngster drowned AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl's tragic death at a water park has been ruled "unlawful" by a coroner. Kyra Hill, 11, died after drowning in a designated swimming area at Liquid Leisure in Windsor. 3 3 Senior Coroner Heidi Connor concluded that there were gorss breaches of health and safety at the park. The inquest heard that several water features had signs which described them as "shallow" despite there being "various sharp drops". Some of the drops measured as much as 4.5m. Commenting on the poor signage, Ms Connor said: "In fact the only sign present warned of shallow water." She added that young children were permitted to swim without buoyancy aids and that parents were not advised to attend with a ratio of one adult per four children. Rachel Marcus, representing Kyra's family, asked Ms Connor to consider a charge of gross negligence manslaughter by Liquid Leisure owner Stuart Marston. She also called for an additional charge of corporate manslaughter.
