Thrill-seeking youngsters leaping from structures face fatalities

Council chiefs have warned that reckless thrill-seekers leaping from structures as high as 65-foot into water risk fatal injuries or serious disability.

Following a a surge in the dangerous activity during the summer holidays, councils and fire chiefs are warning that young people, often fuelled by drink, are risking their lives ‘tombstoning’ – jumping or diving from a height into water unsupervised – into the sea and rivers where they could hit unseen objects or land badly.
 
As well as the risk of submerged objects, jumping into cold open water where temperatures can be as low as 15C in the summer – half that of typical swimming pools heated to 30C - can also cause cold water shock. Cold water shock is one of the biggest causes of drowning.
 
The Local Government Association is calling for the dangers of cold water shock to be taught in swimming lessons. If schools don’t arrange swimming lessons for their pupils, they should receive the safety advice as part of personal, social, health and economic (PHSE) lessons, it says.
 
Morris Bright, vice chairman of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Tombstoning is extremely dangerous and anyone doing it is dicing with death or risks ending up with life-changing or serious injuries. The message is clear - if you don’t know that the depth of the water is safe or you cannot see what is below the surface, don’t jump or let alcohol, drugs or peer pressure affect your judgement. Even if you think you are jumping safely, children may be watching you and copy your actions.
 
“Sea and river temperatures can also be deceptive and can cause people’s body temperature to plummet, leading to cold water shock and increasing the risk of drowning, while sea currents or undertow, even on a calm day, can create life-threatening hazards without warning. We urge young people to resist temptation to tombstone during the warm weather and to get their kicks from safer activities elsewhere during the summer holidays.”