'Don't Drink and Drown' students are warned

A charity's campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of being near water when under the influence of alcohol.

A charity is warning students of the dangers of being near water when drinking.

The Royal Life Saving Society, the drowning prevention charity, has released a film to accompany a campaign targeted at students in Bristol and Bath.

Figures from the charity reveal that around a quarter of all adult drowning victims have alcohol in their bloodstream.

The 2015 campaign comes after four people drowned along a stretch of the River Avon in Bath last year.

Drinking near or in water can be dangerous and a deadly cocktail.

&#13; <p>Di Steer, Chief Executive of the RLSS</p>&#13;

The RLSS is encouraging revellers to avoid entering water when under the influence and avoid walking home near it too. It also identifies the effects of alcohol that could lead to drowning, such as impaired judgment, limited muscle ability and numbed senses.

Di Steer, Chief Executive of the RLSS, said: “People die each year after entering the water with alcohol in their bloodstream, either deliberately or completely by accident. Drinking near or in water can be dangerous and a deadly cocktail. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water."

The drowning prevention charity's campaign runs from 28th September until 4th October.