Loch Doon water safety awareness training

Across Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regularly respond to emergency calls from people who have witnessed someone getting into difficulty in open water and tragically, in 2024 there were 78 water-related fatalities.

To ensure our children and young people understand the dangers of open water, the Council’s Health and Safety section have joined forces with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI, Police Scotland, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Loch Doon Rangers, Scottish Ambulance Service and local landowner, Drax to deliver a sector-leading water safety awareness course.

The training sessions, which were held over two days, were informative and hands-on, allowing the children and young people to safely learn about the hidden hazards within and around the water and to raise awareness on how to use the life-saving equipment strategically positioned around the loch.

They also received essential lifesaving skills training including CPR awareness and defib training and how to float in the water, should they find themselves in danger. They also learned invaluable information about cold-water shock, which is one of the main causes of drowning in Scotland.

Councillor Neal Ingram, Spokesperson for Human Resources, Equalities and Inclusion said: “The water safety awareness course that the Health and Safety team developed with our partners is now in its third year and is constantly evolving to ensure that children and young people understand just how incredibly dangerous open water can be.

“Loch Doon is deep, very cold at all times of the year and has strong currents, which can result in someone quickly getting into difficulty. With our partners we are ensuring that children and young people recognise the dangers, avoid entering the water but also have the knowledge to assist if they witness someone getting into trouble in any open water. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rhodar, who are the Council’s appointed asbestos removal contractor, and our occupational health provider, PAM, for their generous donations under community benefits towards the costs of transporting children and staff from their schools to the loch.

“I would also like to thank the local elected members, Councillors Drew Filson, Jennifer Hogg and James Kyle from the Doon Valley for fully supporting this approach, and note that Councillors Filson and Hogg also both took time to attend the training.”

A Portsafe public access rescue system was installed at Loch Doon with funding from local landowner Drax and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Portsafe system is a 17-metre extendable pole that can be used from the shore. The emergency services must be contacted for a code to access the equipment and are therefore immediately alerted to any drowning incident. 

The Council has also added unique location codes to safety signage at Loch Doon in support of Water Safety Scotland’s promotion of a single location code format across Scotland. In the event of an emergency, the code on the sign can be passed on to the emergency call handler along with any other information requested to ensure that the emergency services are dispatched as quickly as possible to the correct location.  

Area Commander Kevin Murphy is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Local Senior Officer for East, North and South Ayrshire. He said: “We want people of all ages to be safe around water and understand the risks to prevent drowning.

“If you get into difficulty the best thing to do is lie on your back, then spread out your arms and legs and float until you feel calm.  This helps to stop the initial effects of cold water shock. Everyone should remember that water is still very cold, even on warm days.

“If you see someone in trouble, don't enter the water and attempt a rescue. Look for a throw line and call 999.

“We are fully committed to working with partner organisations and will continue to deliver training to educate the public wherever we can."

The following schools attended the training:

• St Andrew’s Primary School
• St Xavier’s Primary School
• Patna Primary School
• Litllemill Primary School
• Lochnorris Primary School
• St Patrick’s Primary School
• Bellsbank Primary School
• Dalmellington Primary School
• Doon Academy