HAVING read reports in your paper and hearing others on BBC Radio York, I feel that I must endorse some of the recent life-saving facts that have come out.

Firstly, that the lifebelts along the River Foss are being restored to working order and, hopefully, will remain that way without being vandalised.

Secondly, earlier this year there was a report of a woman who was rescued from the river by two men. One dived straight in and began to get into difficulty himself.

The second gradually entered the river allowing his body to acclimatise to the cold and who, although getting in more slowly, managed to assist both of the others to land. He obeyed the first rule of life-saving: never put yourself in danger.

Thirdly, the Royal Life Saving Society attended the University of York swimming pool during freshers’ week to promote to those joining both universities the importance of not drinking and drowning.

Unfortunately, this was not very well attended but I note that both universities are attempting to educate students of the dangers of drinking near our two rivers. I do hope that these sessions will be better attended and that the message will eventually be got across.

Marie Taylor, Chairman and trainer assessor, Ebor Life Saving Club, York.