Youngsters learn how to Swim Safe at Sandbanks

The Swim Safe programme, which is delivered by the RNLI and the Amateur Swimming Association, is designed to make young people wary of the dangers of the sea and other areas of water.

Youngsters, aged seven to 14, were put through their paces by a team of trained swimming teachers and RNLI lifeguards in a bid to give them the skills and awareness that could save their lives.

Swim Safe delivery manager Sarah Porter said: “By using the skills of ASA swimming teachers and RNLI lifeguards, young swimmers will learn about the open water environment and how different it is to a pool.

“The sea can be an unpredictable place, so we want as many people as possible to be wary of any danger, so they can stay safe at the seaside or wherever they choose to have fun in the water.”

The five points Swim Safe emphasises are:

n Choose a safe place to swim - between red and yellow flags

n Know who can help (teachers and lifeguards)

n The importance of being supervised and not swimming alone

n Effects cold water will have on your ability to swim

n Knowing how to call for help.

According to the latest figures, 321 people died in accidental drownings last year.

The figures, published by the National Water Safety Forum, also show the majority of those who died never intended to be in the water.

The majority of deaths, some 95, occurred at coastal environments, while 86 people died in rivers.

Children and youths, aged up to 19, represented 10 per cent of all fatalities.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has also reminded people about the dangers of water.

Firefighters say any lake or waterway can hold hidden dangers, such as uneven depths, sudden decreases in temperature, out-of-sight objects and unseen currents.

Station manager Ant Bholah said: “We are appealing to parents, particularly now the school holidays have started, to make sure they know where their children are and keep them from going into lakes, reservoirs and rivers.”