Wednesday 20 August
6 – 7 pm
Join us for an online public talk on Water Safety Awareness: Staying Safe by the Sea and on the Water
Spending time by the coast or taking to the water is an enjoyable and healthy way to stay active. However, it is important to recognise that water environments can present serious risks—often more quickly and unexpectedly than many realise.
Tides, weather, and sea conditions can change rapidly. Without proper knowledge and preparation, even experienced individuals can find themselves in difficulty.
This public talk offers essential guidance on how to stay safe in and around the water. Whether you are planning a day at the beach, exploring the shoreline, or taking part in water-based activities, this session will provide practical advice and up-to-date safety information.
Our aim is to help everyone enjoy the water with confidence—by being informed, prepared, and aware of the potential dangers.
We invite you to attend and learn how simple precautions can make all the difference when it comes to staying safe on the water.
Please email membership@scas.nhs.uk to find out more and book your place.
Professor Keith Willett, CBE, Chair, SCAS, will interview Professor Mike Tipton, MBE, FRSM, FTPS, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, University of Portsmouth and Ross MacLeod, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Water Safety Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager, on how to stay safe in and around the water.
MIKE TIPTON MBE, PhD, MSc, FRSM, FTPS, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, Extreme Environments Laboratory, University of Portsmouth, UK.
Professor Tipton has worked at the Universities of Surrey and Portsmouth. He is a visiting professor at King’s College London and SETU Waterford, Ireland. He was Consultant Head of the Environmental Medicine Division at the Institute of Naval Medicine from 1996 to 2004. He has published over 850 scientific books, papers, reports and abstracts on drowning, thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology, and survival in the sea.
Professor Tipton was a Trustee/Director of Surf Lifesaving GB, he is a member of the Council of the RNLI as well as a Consultant to the Medical Director of the RNLI. He has been a consultant in survival and thermal medicine to the Royal Air Force, UKSport and the English Institute of Sport. Prof Tipton is Chair of the National Water Safety Forum (https://nationalwatersafety.org.uk/) and of Water Safety England, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, and a Fellow, Trustee and President-elect of The Physiological Society (https://www.physoc.org/). He was awarded his MBE for services to physiological research in extreme environments; the Ireland Medal for saving lives from drowning worldwide; and the H&L Swiftwater rescue lifetime achievement award from the USA.
MIKE TIPTON MBE, PhD, MSc, FRSM, FTPS, Professor of Human & Applied Physiology, Extreme Environments Laboratory, University of Portsmouth, U
Ross MacLeod, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Water Safety Advocacy & Public Affairs Manager
Ross works in the RNLI’s national water safety team, working with public and third sector partners to improve water safety, prevent drowning and contribute to the prevention of water-based suicide across the UK and Ireland. He is an active member of the LGA’s Coastal Special Interest group, and a member of the UK National Water Safety Coordinating group as chair or the Communication and campaigns group. In previous roles, Ross also led the creation of high-profile RNLI water safety campaigns including Float to Live and Respect the Water.