A hard-hitting film has been launched today on www.notagame.co.uk to warn teenagers about the potentially fatal consequences of swimming in reservoirs this summer.
The chillingly realistic ‘Not a Game’ mini-movie, from water company United Utilities, is shot from the perspective of a teenage boy who decides to swim at a local reservoir to impress a girl. The film uses video gaming style graphics to accompany action as it unfolds on screen, culminating in images which show him getting into difficulties and drowning.
Practicing GP and One Show expert Dr Sarah Jarvis believes the film delivers a hard but much needed message to help prevent teen tragedy this summer. She said:
“The initial shock of diving or jumping into cold water can affect some people in water temperatures as high as 77°F (25°C), and nobody is immune if the temperature is below 60°F (15°C).
“With water temperature in reservoirs rarely rising above 12°C, even at the height of summer, even the strongest swimmer can experience heart, breathing and mobility issues very quickly. This film shows just how quickly that can happen and hopefully will prompt young people to think twice before taking a dip that could have tragic consequences.”
Mark Byard, United Utilities’ health and safety manager, said:
“If you lose a life in a computer game you just start again. But real life isn’t like that. By combining realistic footage of a drowning incident with gaming style graphics, we wanted to hit home with teenagers that swimming in reservoirs is no game. Far from being fun, it can be fatal and there are no second chances.”
Emergency services teams have also shown support for the film. Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire, Peter Holland, said:
"Firefighters called out to these incidents know only too well that the combination of hot, dry weather and the temptation to cool off in rivers, lakes and ponds is something that takes a toll in lives on a regular basis.
"The short film by United Utilities, designed to make people think again about swimming in such circumstances, has a storyline all too familiar and depicts a drowning tragedy with chilling realism. It will surely make a significant contribution to the promotion of a vital safety message."
You can watch the video here
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