MCA URGE RECREATIONAL SEA ANGLERS TO WEAR A LIFEJACKET

FEWER than 2.5% of shore anglers wear lifejackets when fishing according to research carried out by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. The agency is advising all anglers, whether they practice their sport from the sea, on rocks or shore, to carry and wear a lifejacket when near the sea.

Richard Jackson, Evidence Coordinator of the Research & Planning Team at the Agency said:- "Deaths from angling dropped to five last year from 11 in 2007. In gaining those figures, our research showed some gaps in individuals awareness of how vital a lifejacket can be in those few short seconds when, through a slip or accident, an angler can find themselves in the sea.   Cold shock and hypothermia are the real killers, and if you are not wearing a lifejacket when you go into the water the chances of your survival are diminished. When things go wrong at sea theres seldom, if ever, time to get out a lifejacket and put it on properly."

The MCA highlighted five deaths as examples:-

January, 2008. Holyhead:- "A man packed a dinghy full of fishing equipment and pushed it out, walking into the water to follow it and board the vessel, but stopped dead in the water, went under the surface and drowned. The assumption is that he suffered cold water shock and became unconscious - if he was wearing a lifejacket it may have kept him afloat long enough to receive medical attention."

July - Belfast:- "A man was in the water after cockle picking on Scotchman Rock when his punt broke away. The man tried to recover it and was declared deceased later at hospital. No lifejacket worn."

July - Sound of Islay:- "A male angler in his 70s was swept off by the current. His waders filled with water and dragged him under. No lifejacket worn."

September - Polzeath:- "A 32 year old male angler was swept off the rocks into the sea, possibly while trying to recover some fishing gear. No lifejacket evident."

December - Aberdeen:- "A Polish rock fisherman was swept away by large wave. No lifejacket worn."

"Lifejackets are as essential to recreational sea anglers as rods and reels, according to Stuart McPherson, chairman of the Angling Trust marine committee. We urge every angler to always wear the slim fitting type which instantly inflates if the wearer falls in. It does not get in the way while fishing but tucked away in a cabin or locked in the car boot it is useless. Lifejackets are just as important for shore angling. Recently in the north east of England anglers on a breakwater were washed off their feet by a freak wave. Only the quick reaction of one saved another from slipping into the water. Had his reactions been less speedy a lifejacket would have come into its own." added the Joanne Groenenberg form The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office.

Media Opportunities For Liverpool Teenagers

THIS summer, the BBC are offering hundreds of teenagers, who are passionate about creative arts and media, the chance to take part in work experience on the Blast National Tour.

The tour gives young people (aged 13 to 19) an opportunity to explore a wide variety of free multi-media workshops at 27 towns and cities around the UK over the next 7 months. After the success of last year’s event in Sefton Park, the tour returns to Liverpool on Friday, 22 May 2009.

Your work experience could see you working with a local Event Organiser to plan and manage this event, coming up with ideas for promotion based on your knowledge of youth in the area, helping with production schedules and working with local facilitators and youth arts organisations to promote the free workshops, master classes and showcases. When the Blast truck arrives in town, you'll be signing people into sessions, supporting facilitators, photographing the event or even filming or stage-managing a showcase. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the running of “Blast out Loud”, Blast’s on-site radio station.

For anyone interested in working in the creative industries, these opportunities with the BBC will be an invaluable experience and could be the first step on the career ladder.

"I took part in the Blast WEX scheme at the Serpentine Gallery last year and loved working with the mix of true industry professionals and young people at the event. I'm now at De Montfort University in Leicester doing a degree in photography and
video. The experience that I gained on Blast has allowed me to get a part time job at a local media company, Channel 2020. Working on Blast was one of the most inspirational and insightful experiences that I've had the chance to partake in." said Steven Seniw from Leicester.

If you are interested in work experience, please visit:- www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience/blast for more information.

NHS Direct Advises Everyone to Start Thinking NOW About How to Tackle the Impending Hayfever Season

AS the clocks spring forward wouldn’t it be great to escape the impending itchy season by going on holiday for months? Unfortunately for most of us that is only a pipe dream – to help cope while staying in England, NHS Direct has compiled a whole series of practical advice to support the country as it gears up!

But before we dismiss the holiday idea, there are one or two things to bear in mind if you are planning to escape!  The hayfever season falls at different times in different countries, depending on the climate and what type of vegetation grows there. It's best to go on holiday to places when they aren't in their peak pollen season or to a place where the pollen count is low all year round.

The grass pollen season in Mediterranean countries finishes about five weeks before it does in the UK, so a good time to visit these countries is after the middle of July.

It is also worth remembering that there is generally less pollen in coastal areas, so if you visit the seaside your hayfever symptoms should lessen. Mountainous areas may also be good places to visit as they contain fewer pollen-producing plants.

So what is hayfever?

Hayfever is a common condition that affects two in every 10 people in the UK. It usually occurs during the spring and summer
but the timing depends on which pollens you are allergic to. From May to July, grass and flowers are in pollen, making these the most common cause of hayfever at this time. From March to May, pollens from trees are the most common cause. Trees, mould spores and weeds can also cause hayfever.

Hayfever symptoms vary in severity and can vary from year to year, depending on the weather and pollen count. The pollen count is highest in the early evening, so if you have hayfever, it is a good idea to avoid going outdoors at this time.

How to cope?

Here is some practical advice from NHS Direct

Of course, the best way to control an allergy is to avoid the trigger. However, it is difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months.

There is a range of products available to treat the symptoms of hayfever. For them to be most effective, it is best to try to minimize your exposure to pollen by avoiding tasks such as mowing the lawn, and by staying indoors when the pollen count is high.

The types of hayfever treatment available include antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays; steroid nasal sprays and drops and  eye drops. If you have severe, long-term hayfever, immunotherapy or desensitization treatment may be an option.  Associate director of pharmacy Anne Joshua said:- "Antihistamines such as chlorphenamine and promethazine have been used for many years to treat the symptoms of hayfever in adults including pregnant women and for children. Always check with the pharmacist when you purchase any antihistamine for a child that it is appropriate for their age. Other non-sedating antihistamines such as cetirizine and loratidine are available and may be preferred treatment depending on symptoms. Steroid nasal sprays and anti-allergic eye drops are also a useful treatment for adults and would be the treatment of choice for pregnant mothers who have moderate symptoms.  An oral grass pollen extract has recently been licensed for use in children, having been available for adults only since 2007. Daily treatment is started four months before start of pollen season and continued for up to three years to help de-sensitise the immune system to the tree and grass pollens. A vaccine is also under development to look at how the smallest effective dose can be given to reduce sensitivity, but it looks likely to be available in 2010.  Hayfever can become quite debilitating during academic exam periods for children and students. Seeking advice early to try and manage your symptoms is recommended."

It is very difficult to completely avoid pollen, but the severity of hayfever symptoms can be reduced by trying to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Recognising which type of pollen you are most affected by is also important to help take action e.g. grasses, trees, flowers.

There are a number of other things that can be tried: keep windows and doors shut; avoid cutting the grass; wear wrap-around sunglasses; keep car windows closed and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents; keep fresh flowers out of the house, and vacuum and damp dust regularly; do not smoke or let anyone smoke in your house; keep pets out of the house during the season and apply vaseline around the edge of the nostrils to stop pollen from entering the nasal passages.  You should see your GP if you think you have hayfever. Your GP will usually be able to make a diagnosis, especially if you can tell them what times of the day or year your symptoms occur.

For further health information and advise about hayfever please ring NHS Direct on:- 08454647 or you can go online via:- www.nhs.uk.