Please don’t swim in quarries, the minerals industry warns
I am writing to request your readers’ help in raising awareness of water safety during the school summer holidays and the warmer weather.
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is supporting the water safety campaigns being run by other organisations such as the RNLI and the fire services.
We do not want to discourage members of the public from enjoying the water, but would like people to be aware of the risks and choose to swim in areas that are safe.
On average, there are around 400 accidental drownings each year across the UK.
The death of a 19-year-old boy, who drowned while swimming with friends in a former quarry lake, is a tragic reminder of the importance of these messages.
Man-made quarry lakes or reservoirs can be particularly unsuitable for swimmers and paddlers.
Often they can be extremely deep, have sudden changes in water depth, be difficult to exit and conceal a range of hazards such as pumps, entangling weeds, rocks and old machinery.
Significantly, the water in quarry lakes and reservoirs can be extremely cold even on a hot summer’s day. At 15C and below, the body can experience cold water shock, which when immersed in water, this results in a sudden, involuntary inhalation of water into the lungs which can be deadly.
The cold water can also cause even strong swimmers to tire quickly, become breathless and potentially disorientated.
To find out more, view the campaign Facebook page Stay Safe Stay Out of Quarries.
Please also remember warning signs and fences are there to help protect you and your family. Elizabeth Clements, Mineral Products Association, Gillingham Street, London.