A free activity and education day is being held at South Lake Watersports in Craigavon on Saturday, July 25, to mark World Drowning Prevention Day.

The event, organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, will give the public a chance to learn vital water safety skills and meet members of the emergency services.

Practical training will include the RNLI’s Float to Live technique and CPR, delivered by qualified swimming instructors. Frontline responders from the PSNI, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Lough Neagh Search and Rescue, and Sky Watch NI will also be on hand to share safety advice.

Lord Mayor Councillor Mary O’Dowd said preventing drowning before danger arises is the greatest opportunity. She urged everyone to enjoy the water safely by staying alert, staying safe, and learning to float.

A dedicated session called ‘Get Wet Stay Safe’, run by Swim Ulster in partnership with Sport NI, Swim Ireland and South Lake Watersports, will cover land-based and in-water skills. Participants will learn about dynamic risk assessment, the water safety code, cold water shock, and emergency signalling, as well as how to tread water and float.

Other activities include an ice bucket challenge to simulate the shock of cold water, a model boat display and ‘Have a Go’ session with Seahorse Model Boat Club, a rope throwing challenge with South Lake Paddlers, Pico sailing and canoe demonstrations, a paddle pool, and hook-a-duck.

More details are available at getactiveabc.com/floattolive.