IT is incredibly sad to hear about the number of people who have died in the sea around the country in the last couple of weeks.

Five young men sadly lost their lives at Camber Sands, a windsurfer drowned in the sea off West Mersea and a mother and daughter died after getting into difficulty at an Aberdeen beach.

Drowning is not a new problem – 400 people die this way every year in the UK – but the sudden high number of people dying this way has brought a spot light to the issue.

People are calling for life guards to patrol all beaches, which would certainly give anyone does get into difficulty a better chance at surviving.

However, it would not prevent people getting into difficulty in the first place.

Better education of the dangers associated with water would prevent that, including rip currents and how quickly the tide comes in.

It would not be feasible – and nor should it really be necessary – for there to be a lifeguard at every single lake, pond and stream in the country.

It begs the question as to why this is not taught in schools.

It is also vitally important that parents are aware that children can get into difficulty in the blink of an eye and must be supervised closely when playing around water.

Although most schools in the country offer swimming lessons, there is a need for every person to be taught basic personal survival in water, including how to tread water.

This would enable everyone to enjoy the water in a safer way.