Tragedy Sparks Lifeguard Training Appeal

A qualified lifeguard from Droylsden is appealing to the general public to learn basic lifesaving skills and dangers of open water.

Toby Shepherd, Club Secretary at Droylsden Life Saving Club,The Club urges for change since the tragic death of 14-year-old Lucy Smith.

The teenager died after getting into difficulty in water near Crowswood Drive in Stalybridge last week.

The awful circumstances are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by open water, and Toby is now hoping that more people come forward and learn the basic lifesaving skills in the event that similar scenarios occur.

The 21-year-old, who has been associated with Droylsden Life Saving Club  since the age of seven, is also pushing for life saving sessions to be implemented into the school curriculum to further reduce the possibility of such events.

Speaking to Reporter Sport, Toby said: “Our club has been operating since 1971, initially at Droylsden Baths, before moving to the new pool in 2006 at Active Medlock. 

“We’ve been running there ever since and providing sessions for people from the age of eight upwards, teaching them how to save lives and highlighting the dangers of open water. 

“After what happened, it made sense to try and get more people involved in what we’re trying to teach.

“We do open water sessions and travel as far as Fleetwood, but more locally we go to Debdale Outdoor Centre and do outdoor water life saving sessions there.  

“We get in the water and show them what it's actually like and how it affects your body. 

“We make sure that we don’t put ourselves in danger first, so we emphasise the importance of using equipment or anything around you before putting yourself in danger.

“If you’re at an open water site you might have one of the rescue buoys nearby, so you should always try and use one of those or eithen a stick or a piece of clothing before putting yourself in danger. 

“We provide the same advice to lifeguards once they’re qualified as well.”

Droylsden Life Saving Club, who are affiliated with the Tameside Sport and Physical Activity Network and The Royal Life Saving Society UK, with strong connections with Active Tameside.

 The club has produced some of the current set of lifeguards at the various pools across the borough, including the Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton,Active Ashton, Active Hyde, Active Medlock and Active Copley.

At the age of 16, attendees who take part in Droylsden Life Saving Club's sessions can enrol to complete lifeguard qualifications through Active Tameside.

Toby added: “I think lifesaving training should be implemented into the school curriculum. 

“A lot of the instructors who work for Active Tameside have come through our Life Saving Club, so as a little add-on to the regular swimming sessions, the instructors will get the school pupils to come to the sessions in their pyjamas and teach them Water Safety Skills.” 

Those interested in taking part in sessions, which cost £3 per session, can do so on Monday evenings from 7:30pm-9:00pm at Active Medlock."