[user104658]

Simply put... no... we shouldn't be tempted to make everything that carries an element of risk "illegal". You'd have to ban all sorts of activities. You could have wider/more visible campaigns to highlight the dangers, however.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Simply put... no... we shouldn't be tempted to make everything that carries an element of risk "illegal". You'd have to ban all sorts of activities. You could have wider/more visible campaigns to highlight the dangers, however.

But people should go to a swimming pool ?
If not banning entirely how about banning swimming in this section of water?

Is saving people’s lives not worth more than being able to swim in a unsafe river

[Cherry Christmas]

Wild swimming !

People have to take personal responsibility and sadly at this time of year we get stories like this, we wouldn't advocate banning swimming in the sea and that claims many lives each year?

All the council can do is put up signs, similar like road signs and maybe highlight how many deaths have taken place and maybe that will focus minds?

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

But people should go to a swimming pool ?
If not banning entirely how about banning swimming in this section of water?

Is saving people’s lives not worth more than being able to swim in a unsafe river

I see where you are coming from sheriff ,but people being as they are will always disregard any banning etc, we've seen that clearly, with Covid rules, some will just do as they want, and think they are invincable

[user104658]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

But people should go to a swimming pool ?
If not banning entirely how about banning swimming in this section of water?

Is saving people’s lives not worth more than being able to swim in a unsafe river

But again you could say the same for all sorts of activities; people who go rock climbing could go to an indoor climbing centre, people who go kayaking could use a rowing machine, people who climb mountains could use a Stairmaster at the gym...

I understand in principle especially when it comes to kids/teens who often have little understanding of the risks, but again I think it's more about making sure those risks are hammered home rather than making it illegal.

It should definitely be banned in reservoirs and quarries (where a lot of drownings happen) and I think generally is but then... realistically... who is going to enforce it? You can't guard them 24/7.

But lakes and rivers, I think all you can do is educate about the general risks and have clear signage warning of any specific dangers (like strong undercurrents) and hope that people listen to those warnings.