Design students from Leeds Metropolitan University have teamed up with a partner university in Finland to present their innovative new designs for life-saving water rescue devices. 

The exhibition entitled ‘Fancy a Swim?’ opens on Thursday 8 December at 6.00pm at Leeds Metropolitan’s Broadcasting Place.  The live project, initiated by Leeds-based design consultancy Trig Creative, has culminated in the exhibition of twelve short-listed products, designed by students from both Leeds Met and Kyamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland, with one student designer winning a placement opportunity at the agency. 

The final-year BA (Hons) Design students were asked to design a concept for water rescue: a device for land-based rescue (eg. throwing something to the victim) or for water-based rescue, where the rescuer swims to the victim.

Head of the School of 3D Design at Leeds Metropolitan, Juha Kaapa, commented:  “The BA (Hons) Design course has a track record of organising live projects for our students. ‘Fancy a Swim?’ is yet again a fantastic opportunity for our students to demonstrate their skills and learning with a real consultancy, Trig Creative. We have also invited our Finnish Erasmus partner university's design students to join us in the competition to build on our strong links with Europe. The project has given all students involved a flavour of the dynamic and demanding world of design. They have shown great commitment with non-negotiable timetables which is a reflection of how designers work with clients.”

In a global survey conducted in 2000, an estimated 409,272 people drowned, making drowning the second highest cause of unintentional injury death globally after road traffic accidents. Figures show that more than half of those who drowned could swim. The design and efficiency of the life-ring has remained unchanged for many years, yet lifebuoys are not considered by many rescue professionals as an effective rescue device.

The exhibition runs until Thursday 15 December and is open to all members of the public, free of charge.

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