Donate high viz vests to save lives from drowning

A Lochaber social enterprise is diverting rubbish from landfill and saving lives at the same time.

 

Using discarded high viz vests and plastic bottles destined for landfill, Embers Aquatics, based in Invercoe, has designed a new affordable buoyancy aid as part of an early intervention strategy to be adopted low-income countries.

 

The upcycled buoyancy aids will be distributed around Lake Victoria, Uganda, initially as part of a pilot project, where an estimated 5,000 people drown every year.

 

'Flotation devices buy people time when they get into difficulty in the water. If you can’t swim, you are in immediate danger,' said Anna Roscoe, founder and CEO of Embers Aquatics, a community interest company (CIC).

 

'The problem in Uganda is that a buoyancy aid costs a month’s wages for most families, making them out of reach for most.'

 

"attachment_587532" "" "225"] Thousands of high viz vests, buoyancy aids, life jackets and first aid kits go into landfill every year in the UK when components expire.

 

High viz vests, buoyancy aids, life jackets, first aid kits and other lifesaving equipment all reach a point where they need to be thrown away. Embers can give them a new life other than landfill and hopefully literally save a life in return.

 

Drowning kills more than 375,000 people every year worldwide; someone every 80 seconds. Ninety-seven per cent of those deaths are in low- and middle-income countries. Many of those deaths are preventable with simple interventions.

 

'Learning to swim is as important as learning to walk,' added Anna. 'Learning to swim should not be a luxury, it is an essential life skill. Swimming skills, education and flotation equipment save lives.'

 

"attachment_587535" "" "300"] More than 372,000 people drown every year. Someone every 80 seconds. 97 per cent are in low- and middle-income countries. Here the vests are being tested by Embers Aquatics in a Highland loch.

 

Diverting rubbish from landfill and preventing drowning in vulnerable communities worldwide is a perfect combination. Visit www.highviz.embersconnect.com to find out how to donate your old high viz vests and water sports equipment.

 

Embers Aquatics was founded in 2019, 'born out of a love for water but also a respect for water'. Anna said: 'Our mission is to reduce drowning rates and promote a love of the water through swimming and water sports.' It works with vulnerable communities to teach swimming, provide activities safely, provide water safety training and equipment.