Avon Fire & Rescue Service Champions River Safety through Creative Collaboration

As a Service, we are committed to keeping our communities safe, and that includes around open water. Tragically, every year, people lose their lives in preventable water-related incidents. Many underestimate the risks or overestimate their abilities, particularly during warmer months when people are more likely to swim or spend time near open water.

Ahead of the exhibition, our water rescue team welcomed local students to Bath Fire Station to learn about the real dangers of open water. They watched a live water rescue demonstration under the iconic Pulteney Weir and had the opportunity to meet the crew, gaining a firsthand understanding of our life-saving work.

One student, Hermione, who captured photos of the demonstration that featured in the exhibition, later reflected on the experience during a powerful speech at the exhibition launch event, which drew over 100 attendees, including councillors, community leaders, and river-focused organisations.

The Life on Water exhibition, a collaboration between Bath Spa University photography students and the Bath River Line team, was showcased at Roseberry Road Studios during this year’s Festival of Nature (7–13 June). It featured powerful imagery capturing the beauty, utility, and hazards of the river. Selected works are now on public display at Kelson’s Playing Field near Locksbrook Campus until October.

“The river is a beautiful part of Bath’s landscape, but it is unpredictable and can also be extremely dangerous. By working with young people, community groups, and partners such as the Bath River Line team, we can share vital water safety. Projects such as Life on Water not only raise awareness of the role the Fire Service play in Water Rescue but also educates the public on how to stay safe in and around the water.”

Jacq Hardwick, Water Safety Lead for Avon Fire & Rescue Service

“The Life on Water outdoor photography exhibition, which celebrates the Bath River Line, offers a great insight into why the waterways are so important to the city and how we can care for them. I’d like to thank Avon Fire & Rescue Service for their involvement. Their live water rescue demonstration at Pulteney Weir for students and the inclusion of the photos taken by Hermione on the day was a great way to engage with visitors to the exhibition and highlight the need to stay safe near open water. Ultimately that awareness can help create safer communities by preventing incidents.”

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset

Follow these water safety tips this summer:

• Never swim in open water, such as rivers or canals. Cold water shock can affect even the strongest swimmers.
• Stay away from the edge, especially when walking or running near rivers.
• Don’t drink alcohol near water – it significantly impairs your judgment and increases the risk of falling in.
• If you see someone in difficulty in the water, do not enter the water. Call 999 and ask for the fire service.
• Familiarise yourself with what to do if you fall in, float to live: lie on your back with arms and legs spread and try to control your breathing.

AF&RS continues to work closely with partners across the region to reduce water-related incidents and encourage safer interaction with our natural waterways.

To find out more about water safety, visit: avonfire.gov.uk/safety/outdoors/water-safety