Do You Feel Confident Around Open Water?

Because One Lesson Could Save Your Life.

Debbie's Story...

It only takes a moment for an ordinary day to change forever. A walk by the water, a moment of calm, and then, something unexpected. That moment changed Debbie Anne Turnbull’s life. Her son, Chris, a bright, funny, strong young man, lost his life in a tragic drowning accident, by falling into a waterfall in North Wales.

 

From that heartbreak came a mission: to make sure no other family had to experience what Debbie and her family did. 

 

Debbie has since dedicated her life to educating young people and families about water safety, turning her pain into purpose, and her story into a legacy of saving lives. 

 

Debbie is the powerful force behind River And Sea Sense

Take The River And Sea Sense 

Open Water Safety & Awareness  Programme

What Is 

The Water Safety Course?

 

The Open Water Safety & Awareness Course by River & Sea Sense is an online, self-paced learning programme created by Debbie Turnbull MBE, one of the UK’s leading voices in drowning prevention and water safety education.

 

This modular course has been designed to help people to understand the very real dangers of open water — and how to enjoy it safely, confidently, and responsibly.

Why This Course Matters To Everyone

Because open water isn’t like the local swimming pool.
It’s unpredictable, powerful and, in the wrong circumstances, deadly. Cold water shock, underwater hazards, and changing conditions can take even strong swimmers by surprise. 

 

LEARNING TO SWIM IS NOT ENOUGH!!!

Chloe Grogan
School  

Debbie, thanks for coming in to school today I remember when you came in to pen-y-bryn as I was young then I didn’t really understand all the heart ache you have had. Today was very touching and practically all lunch me and my friend were crying as we felt so sad during that lesson. I was crying my eyes out and I couldn’t possibly know how you felt.

Course Format

Approx. 1–2 hours total learning time, depending on pace. Includes lifetime access, so you can revisit and refresh their learning at any time.

  • Online and On-Demand:

    Learn from anywhere, at any time. The course is entirely online and accessible from any device — desktop, tablet, or mobile.

  • Modular Learning:

    The content is broken down into short, easy-to-follow video and text-based modules. Each module focuses on a key aspect of water safety, so groups and individuals can learn in manageable steps without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Work at Your Own Pace:

    You can complete the course in one sitting (approximately 1–2 hours) or spread it out over several sessions. Progress automatically saves, allowing you to pause and return whenever you like.

  • Family-Friendly Access:

    Designed to be shared, the course can be viewed together as a group or family. It uses plain language, relatable examples, and age-appropriate visuals to engage children, teens, and adults alike.

  • Interactive Learning:

    The course includes quizzes before and after completion to help participants check their understanding and see how much knowledge they’ve gained.

  • Certificate of Completion:

    Every participant receives a digital certificate to recognise their learning and commitment to water safety awareness.

Take The River And Sea Sense 

Open Water Awareness Group Course

What Will You Learn?

For just £35, you’ll get full access to an online course that you can complete in your own time. It’s packed with practical, family-friendly information, designed to empower, not frighten.

  • Easy-to-follow lessons: 

    Gain a detailed understanding of how to recognise risks around rivers, reservoirs, lakes, quarries and the sea.

  • Cold water shock and cold water swimming:

    What it is, why it happens, and how to stay calm if it does.

  • Understanding underwater hazards:

    How to identify currents, debris, tombstoning.

  • Inflatables and Paddle boarding: 

    Play safe, learn about the do’s and don’ts when you’re near open water.

  • Don't drink and drown 

    Why alcohol is not your friend in open water.

  • What to do in an emergency - I.C.E. - Float to Live:

    Create a safety plan that everyone can remember and use, even children

  • Before and after quizzes: 

    You'll feel empowered when you can see how much you’ve learned.

  • Lifetime access: 

    Always available, so that you can revisit the course and share it with your family whenever you need.

Hannah Jones
School

Hello Debbie, you came to our school a couple of months ago and I just wanted to say I have sent 84 ICE messages. Thank you for your inspiring talk!  X

 

This course is ideal for:

  • Parents and carers who want to keep their children safe around open water

  • Groups & Families who enjoy outdoor activities, holidays near water, or water sports

  • Anyone who wants practical, accessible water safety knowledge for everyday life for themselves and their family. 

Key Topics Covered:

  • Understand the hidden dangers of open water and how to avoid them

  • Recognise the signs and symptoms of cold water shock

  • Know how to react safely in a water emergency

  • Feel confident discussing and practising water safety as a family

  • Be empowered to make safer decisions every time you’re near open water

You can’t always control the water — but you can control how prepared your family is. This easy, online course will help you spot risks, stay calm, and act fast when it matters most. 

For just £35, start today and protect the people who matter most.

About River And Sea Sense

Debbie has spent nearly two decades sharing her son’s story to save others.
Since 2006, she has educated over 900,000 young people through school visits, training sessions and awareness events.


She has spoken in Parliament, worked alongside emergency services, and been recognised with awards including the Points of Light Award and the National Lottery Special Achievement Award.

 

Her work has one purpose: to make water safety second nature for every family. And this online course is the next step, a way to bring her vital message directly into homes across the UK and beyond.

Carys Williams
School  

Thank you so much for coming to talk to us – it must be so hard for you and i really appriciate it xxx I never knew how dangerous lakes and rivers could be so thank you again xx

Chris Cousens
RNLI All Wales Drowning Prevention Strategy Chair

Debbie’s passion and enthusiasm for spreading the message of water safety and awareness was a huge asset to the launch of Swimsafe Scheme in North Wales run by the RNLI Swim Wales and the ASA. Debbie and other families affected by drowning do a tremendous amount to promote and further drowning prevention and water safety work in Wales and as Water Safety Wales Chair, I was really grateful for her contribution to the launch of the Wales Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026.

Rebecca Wear Robinson
US National Water Safety Plan,  Jabari, Inc – a Child Drowns Every Minute

 

I can recommend the work of Debbie Anne Turnbull in the areas of water safety unreservedly, Debbie has been instrumental in creating positive and effective programs that have benefitted large numbers of children and families across the UK

Ella-louise Dodd
School

I was so very touched by your story at ysgol J.B last fri. Being a mum myself i had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. i think what u are doing is amazing. Chris will be very very proud of u. all the very best to u xx

Swim Wales Are Proud To Support Debbie And River And Sea Sense (RASS).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for me to complete?

What age range is this for?

How do I access the online course?

When will the course start and end?

Disclaimer

The River And Sea Sense course is from myself – A Mother’s perspective who has lost her son to Drowning and all has been learned since 2006, about Drowning Prevention.

This basic course has been created from the perspective of what, if my son was alive, I would want him to be aware of simple and memorable terms, for safety and awareness in open water.

River And Sea Sense Ltd and myself take no responsibility for any actions taken thereafter by any person on receipt of this education.

The discount codes that are given are STRICTLY for those who have purchased them and will become invalid after an agreed time period.

Beyond the Surface brings you life-saving water safety education and practical mental well-being tools from someone who truly understands both worlds. Hosted by Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE, this podcast combines the heart of a mother who lost her only son to drowning with the expertise of a professionally trained trauma-informed practitioner and water safety specialist. Each episode delivers powerful conversations, practical and memorable safety knowledge you can implement immediately, alongside mental health ideas that help you manage stress, support others and create lasting positive change. Whether you're a parent seeking confident water safety knowledge, a professional in caring roles or someone on a healing journey, you'll find actionable insights delivered with authenticity and compassion.


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