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Riverside Code - Teacher's Notes

The following notes accompany the Guide to the Riverside Code.

Notes suitable for children aged 5 to 6

Always walk down steps or stairs to the river.

Don't run and never go on the foreshore alone. Not all steps and stairs are kept in good condition by their owners and even those that are looked after quickly become slippery with algae and mud.

Beware of muddy areas - they are soft and deep.

Every year the police, fire brigade, PLA and RNLI have to rescue people who are trapped in the mud.
Children should be aware that struggling in mud makes them sink more quickly. If one member of a group gets into difficulty, the others should go for help but must not go onto the mud themselves.

Always wear shoes or boots on the foreshore.

There is often rubbish on the foreshore, both natural and man-made, which can be sharp and cause serious injuries.

Notes suitable for children aged 7 and over.

If you see anyone in difficulty in the river, dial 999 and ask for the emergency services.

The London Coastguard is responsible for the co-ordination of all search and rescue incidents by the emergency services (RNLI, Police, Fire Brigade and PLA) on the tidal Thames.

Most public phone boxes have signs that give details of where the phone is but it may be useful to get children to think about where they are.

It can be confusing for children when they suddenly have to give important information about an emergency and decide which emergency services they need.

It is important to stress how dangerous giving a false 999 call can be. It could delay help going to a genuine incident.

Do not swim in the river.

Many children have only swum in the safety of a swimming pool or a holiday beach.
The Thames is different from these safe environments in a number of ways.

Although the Thames looks slow and flat, it is really moving extremely quickly. Anyone in the water can be swept out of sight within a very few minutes. This strong current can also drag people underwater where they can easily become trapped.

The Thames can be over 60 feet deep (three houses on top of each other).

The water is extremely cold. Anyone who goes into the water is at risk of hypothermia. Once a body becomes very cold, (which can take only a few minutes in the Thames), energy levels drop sharply and swimming becomes virtually impossible.

A large number of boats use the Thames every day. These boats range from small rowing boats to huge container ships which can not manoeuvre quickly and have limited visibility. Their captains will not be able to see swimmers or small dinghies that are in their way.

Beware of muddy areas - they are soft and deep.

Every year, the police, fire brigade and the PLA have to rescue people who are trapped in the mud.

Children should be aware that struggling in the mud makes them sink more quickly. If one member of the group get into difficulty, the others should go for help but must not go on to the mud themselves.

Always make sure you can get off the foreshore quickly.

The foreshore is the ground which is revealed when the tide goes out and which is covered again when the tide comes in.

Anyone who is on the foreshore should keep close to the stairs or steps and make sure that they can get to them easily. The tide comes in faster than it goes out.

At many points along the river, children will see loped chains hanging from walls. These are 'grab chains' for people to hold onto if they are in the water.

No-one should ever go onto the foreshore on their own.

Always walk down steps or stairs to the river.

Not all steps and stairs are kept in good condition by their owners and even those that are looked after quickly become slippery with algae and mud.

Most steps or stairs are privately owned and you should tell the children that they may be trespassing.

Always wear shoes or boots on the foreshore. Cover any cuts, scratches or broken skin with a waterproof plaster.

There is often rubbish on the foreshore, both natural and man-made, which can be sharp and cause serious injuries. There is a very small risk of catching Weil's Disease, which is spread in the urine of infected rats. The disease enters the body through cuts or grazes, and can also be spread when contaminated water is transferred to the mouth from the fingers. If it is not treated, Weil's Disease can kill.

Children who are going onto the foreshore must make sure that they put a waterproof plaster on any cuts or broken skin.

They should wash their hands and arms as soon as possible and certainly before eating or drinking.

Syringes can be washed up on the foreshore. They are very dangerous because the person who used them may have contaminated them with their blood.

Children who find syringes should leave them well alone and tell the local authority for the area concerned, or the police, where they found them. They should do the same if they find any other sharp objects.

From 1997 to mid-1999, the PLA removed over 80 syringes from the River Thames and got rid of them safely.

Don’t' throw rubbish in the river.

A lot of wildlife live in the Thames, including herons, otters, and a wide variety of fish. Like all animals and birds, they can be injured by rubbish.

There are 116 types of fish, and dolphins and seals have been seen as far up the river as Richmond.

Wildlife may become tangled up in items such as nylon fishing line or may try to eat other items which will either choke or poison them.

Boats are also put in danger by floating rubbish.

Report vandalism to the police.

Children should be aware that what may seem like a prank may cost lives.

If there is an emergency, valuable minutes can be lost if a lifebelt has been removed or is damaged. The current is so strong that a person in the river may be swept away before anyone can find another lifebelt.

There is lifesaving equipment along some stretches of the river which includes lifebelts, throwing lines and grab chains. Many piers and landing stages also have ladders which are designed to help people climb out of the water. Lifebelts are usually in red plastic mountings.

Children should be aware that these lifebelts are heavy and difficult to throw. If someone gets into difficulty in the water, the emergency services should be contacted immediately.

Although there are lifebelts along most of the Thames, it is impossible to prevent them from being stolen or vandalised. Children should realise that interfering with a lifebelt or any other rescue equipment may cost lives.

Writing on a notice may mean that people cannot read important information. People may fall into the river if barriers are damaged.

Children must tell an adult if they see anyone vandalising safety notices or life saving equipment.