WATER SAFETY VR - 55% FUNDED

 

OUTLINE BRIEF

To create a 360/VR experience aimed at helping people of all ages (from junior school upwards) better understands the risks and hazards of water entry, such as physical injury from submerged items, cold water shock, exhaustion, currents and difficulties of self-extraction. These films should have a lifespan of at least five years and be versatile enough to engage with the public about a wide variety of inland waterways, including rivers, canals, quarries and lakes.

OBJECTIVES

Increase awareness of:

  • water entry risk factors

  • what to do if you get into difficulty

  • what to do if you encounter somebody in difficulty

All the above objectives will include memorable actions consistent with national messaging - i.e. 'Float to live’.

FORMAT

We propose producing a suite of x3 sort VR films to be delivered either on non-immersive social media for mass distribution, or, by a facilitator in immersive VR headsets in a controlled, safe environment. The facilitator will be provided with a VR cheatsheet designed to overcome objections, address any medical symptoms that present themselves and generally offer a positive experience for the participants.

EXAMPLE OF ONE FILM – SHOWING WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE ELSE GETS INTO DIFFICULTY

0:00-0:15. Short introduction and orientation scene

0:15-0:30. DISCOVERY: we are on the shoulder of a person as they are walking close to water, within seconds we hear someone calling in distress.

0:30-1:30. EVALUTION: we are talked through the key considerations at this point such as the importance of resisting temptation to enter the water to help. This could include:

  • Alerting others to the distress

  • Calling the emergency services

  • Looking for throwlines/lifebuoys

  • Finding a makeshift float for the casualty

1:30-2:30. RECOVERY: in this section, we could look at ways to recover the casualty, if safe to do so.

2:30-3:30. POST IMMERSION CASUALTY CARE: once ashore, we can discuss first responder actions to assist casualties who aren’t breathing or unresponsive but still breathing. Here we can include information on hypothermia and secondary drowning – and the importance of getting check-out by a medical professional.

TIMESCALES

  • By end-April - Project fully funded

  • By end-May - Develop concept and agree storyboard, locations and props

  • By end of first week in June - Film over two days in Warwickshire

  • By end-June - Edited and final cuts signed-off and ready for deployment

COSTS

  • Concept development - £5,500

  • Pre-production prep - £7,000

  • Shooting over two days - £9,250

  • Editing and post-production - £8,250

  • Talent - £2,000

  • Extras - £750

  • Catering/travel/accommodation - £1,500

  • Deployment - £3,500

  • TOTAL - £37,750

PARTNERS

This project is being coordinated by Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service. Current funders include:

  • Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service

  • Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

  • Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

  • Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service

  • Manchester Fire & Rescue Service

If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact James Evans or Clare Fletcher.