THIS week is drowning awareness week and Oldham Community Leisure has reminded people across the borough to stay safe around water.

As youngsters have missed out on swimming lessons because of lockdown, learning to swim is more important than ever.

Former Oldham GP Zak Uddin has also reminded people to be aware this week and going forward.

Dr Zak said: “With temperatures rising, it is only natural that many will seek to cool off, often in the nearest source of open water. However, this may prove to be disastrous. In the UK and Ireland, there are roughly 400 deaths a year due to drowning, with a significant peak in the summer months.

“The amounts of water needed are as little as half a cup for children and not much more for an adult. You don’t need water to completely flood your lungs to drown. Just a small amount entering the airway can cause the larynx to go into spasm, preventing further air from entering the lungs, after which consciousness is rapidly lost. This can all occur in less than forty seconds.

“Infants may drown in as little as five centimetres of water, for example in a bath that isn’t even half full.

“Secondary drowning, or dry drowning, whereby a person escapes the water but then suffers respiratory distress, can happen from 20-30 minutes after the event to days later. If you observe anyone who is coughing uncontrollably or struggling to breathe after such an experience, please seek immediate medical assistance.

“Sadly, some who survive a near drowning incident will suffer permanent neurological damage as a result of the brain being deprived of oxygen.

It goes without saying that prevention is better than cure, and the most effective way to avoid such an awful situation is for it to never happen in the first place.”

Oldham swimming instructor Paul Newton said: “Swimming is not only a great way of keeping fit, but it is also a valuable step to keeping children safe in and around water.

“Swimming is an essential life skill; this skill is forever with them. In their later years their longevity and quality of life will be enhanced by swimming. This is a point that has been recognised by the government with the inclusion of swimming in the national curriculum.”