Following a student’s drowning after celebrating his exams last Trinity Term, Oxford University is reviewing and updating its guidelines on water hazards. Brasenose College, where the student attended, is also working on increasing safety information.
A University spokesperson told Cherwell: “The University has for several years highlighted the importance of celebrating responsibly after examinations. However, following this tragic incident, we have put in place a wider review of student safety guidance. We will work with students to identify safety and health risks that they could encounter while at university and update our risk assessment, monitoring processes and guidance as necessary.”
This follows an email sent to all students in Week 0 with a link to the University’s personal safety webpage that details water hazards. The guidelines state: “Don’t dive or jump straight into open water – this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock even on the warmest day”.
Brasenose is also raising awareness of risks associated with water. A college spokesperson told Cherwell: “We liaised with the student lifesaving club and distributed materials prepared by the society in consultation with the Royal Life Saving Society that highlights the RLSS national ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ campaign, as well as safety information regarding Oxford-specific hazards such as flooded towpaths, weirs, and locks. We encouraged other colleges to share these materials with their students.”
The college also liaised with the University and other colleges about alerting students to the dangers of water especially around Oxford. The spokesperson continued: “[We’re] reviewing guidance on post-examination celebrations with a view to emphasising safety as well as sustainability.”
Cherwell does not report on specific deaths unless requested by family or close friends.
