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Fire crews to test their water rescue skills at large-scale training exercise in Bath’s Weston Lock

Water safety
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Firefighters from Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) will put their water rescue skills to the test in an upcoming training exercise taking place at Weston Lock on Brassmill lane, Bath.

The large-scale water rescue training exercise, which is due to take place on Sunday, 6 April from 11am-3pm, will see firefighters from Bath Red Watch facilitate a simulated scenario where live casualties will require rescue from a sinking canal boat. They will be joined by crews from Temple and Bedminster, plus on-call firefighters from Weston-super-Mare, who will have the opportunity to practice their water rescue capabilities. This will include firefighters using throwlines, reach poles and specialist water rescue equipment.

Andy Baker, Watch Manager at Bath Fire Station, said: “Training exercises such as these are essential in reinforcing our water rescue capabilities as frontline firefighters and testing our procedures in these types of incidents. It’s also important for crews from different stations – who may arrive before specially trained water rescue teams and their specialist water rescue equipment – are fully prepared and equipped to respond before those colleagues get to the scene.”

Key water safety advice:

In 2024, AF&RS attended 100 rescues or evacuations from water. As the warmer weather of spring and summer approaches, it’s crucial to make sure you keep you and your families and friends safe in and around the water. AF&RS is urging the public to follow these essential safety tips to help reduce the risk:

  1. NEVER enter the water to rescue a person or an animal – ALWAYS call 999
  2. NEVER enter the water if under the influence of alcohol or drugs – don’t let river water be your last drink!
  3. If someone is struggling in the water, tell them ‘FLOAT TO LIVE’ – lying on their back with arms and legs stretched wide, allowing time to control breathing and call for help.
  4. 60% of people who enter the water, slip, trip or fall in accidentally while running, walking, or cycling. Stick to the path provided, away from the water’s edge.
  5. Remember: 
    • CALL – 999 and ask for the fire service
    • TELL – the person to float on their back (Float to Live)
    • THROW – something that can be used as a floatation device

Have you seen our river rescue cabinets? There are also several river cabinet rescue stations along the riverside cycle path in Bath and at regular intervals around Bristol Harbourside. These cabinets store a throwline which you can use to rescue a person struggling in the water. You can find out more about these lifesaving devices here.

You’ll also be able to able to find out more the role the fire service plays in water rescue at AF&RS’s Water Safety Open Day at Bath Fire Station on Saturday, 12 April from 11am-3pm. This free, family-friendly event will provide lots of opportunities to learn key water safety skills, as well as meeting the crew and getting a closer look at water safety equipment.

Find more information on water safety on our website or follow Avon Fire & Rescue Service on social media.

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