A project providing life-saving training and equipment to coastal businesses and residents to help prevent tragic drownings is paying dividends in Fife.

More than 500 people have now been trained up in what to do in an emergency as part of the Waterside Responder Scheme in a bid to cut the number of incidents around the region’s rivers, waterways, harbours and beaches.

Every year, around 400 people drown in the seas and inland waters of the UK, and many of these deaths could have been prevented if there had been quick response from someone who had the right training and equipment to help.

With that in mind, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) devised the Water Responder Scheme to pass on basic skills and knowledge to hospitality staff, security staff and people living alongside waterways that would help them safely assist in the rescue of a person in water prior to the arrival of emergency services.

Local water safety officer David Corstorphine picked up the mantle in the East Neuk, and staff at dozens of local businesses and five Fife leisure centres have now taken part in free training sessions.

Participating businesses have been supplied with throw bags, which contain a 25-metre length of rope which can be thrown to a casualty in the water; training manuals and quick reference key cards, and participants thus far have praised the scheme for its clear instruction and reinforcing the importance of water safety awareness for everyone living and working near the coastline.

Mr Corstorphine said: “The main aim of this has been to give shop, restaurant and bar workers the confidence to safely intervene in the event of an emergency if appropriate, and I’ve been gobsmacked by how brilliant it has been here in the East Neuk.

“It’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm from local businesses.

“Their willingness to learn and apply these life-saving skills makes a real difference in improving water safety within the community.

“Staff are trained to get the necessary information about any casualty and to contact the Coastguard, before taking any appropriate action.

“We're keen to ensure that businesses and groups are first of all getting the professionals involved and so saving valuable minutes before offering any help they can, in a way that does not put themselves at risk.”

Funding for the throw bags has been provided by the Fife Charities Trust, Fife Council’s employee charity group, and it is hoped other areas of Fife might follow suit – albeit it would need local individuals and/or groups in those areas to take the scheme on.

Councillor Linda Erskine, Fife Council’s Communities and Leisure Spokesperson, said: “Our coastline and waterways are some of Fife’s greatest assets, enjoyed by residents and visitors all year round, but they also bring real risks.

“This initiative is a fantastic example of communities coming together to look out for one another and respond quickly in an emergency.

“By giving local people and businesses the skills, knowledge and equipment they need, we’re helping to make our coastal areas safer while building confidence and resilience within our communities.

“I’d encourage any organisation near the water to get involved and play their part in helping to save lives.”

Any business or organisation interested in finding out more should contact Anstruther RNLI.

Our photo shows David Corstorphine with Cllr Erskine alongside representatives from some local businesses in Anstruther including Almina Mizrak (The Waterfront), Cara Hutchison (The Wee Chippy), Rachel Nee (Scoop), Craig Horsburgh (T&K Brown Pharmacy), Ben Langlands (Anstruther Fish Bar) and Jordan Christie (Anstruther Fish Bar).

The current list of businesses/organisations involved in the Fife Waterside Responder Scheme is as follows:

• St Andrews Aquarium
• St Andrews Harbour Cafe
• East Sands Leisure Centre St Andrews
• Crail Harbour Café and Art Gallery
• Reilly Lobsters Crail
• Kilrenny Caravan Park Cellardyke
• The Grind Cafe Cellardyke
• Nae Richters Swim Group Cellardyke
• Lisa's Hairdresser Cellardyke
• The Haven Restaurant, Cellardyke
• Model Boat Club Cellardyke
• Stuart Barton Physiotherapists Anstruther
• RNLI Lifeboat Shop Anstruther
• Ship Tavern Anstruther
• Anstruther Fish Bar
• Gibbles, Anstruther
• T&K Brown Pharmacy Anstruther
• Scoop Ice Cream Parlour, Anstruther
• The Waterfront, Anstruther,
• Waterfront Chippy, Anstruther
• Coast Coffee, Anstruther
• Fudge Lass, Anstruther,
• The Wee Chippy, Anstruther
• East Neuk Pharmacy, Anstruther,
• Rockies Restaurant, Anstruther
• Anstruther Golf Club
• The Dory Restaurant, Pittenweem
• Pittenweem FMA
• Larachmhor Inn, Pittenweem
• West End Swimmers, Pittenweem
• Pittenweem Pond Girls
• Menopausal Mermaids, Pittenweem
• Giddy Gannet Cafe, St Monans
• Craig Millars restaurant, St Monans
• Ship Inn Elie
• LJ's Ice Cream, Elie,
• The Pavilion Cafe, Earlsferry,
• The Crusoe, Lower Largo
• Leven Leisure Centre
• Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre
• Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre
• Burntisland Leisure Centre
• University of St Andrews Wild Swimmers