Each year people lose their lives while swimming in the hot weather.
Swimming is great fun! But you shouldn’t underestimate the dangers.
Open water hazards
- The depth of the water – this changes and is unpredictable
- Submerged objects may not be visible
- A lack of safety equipment and increased difficulty for rescue
- The shock of cold water can make swimming difficult and increase the difficulty in getting out of the water
- Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away
- Uneven banks and riverbeds
The Royal Life Saving Society
One of the best pieces of advice is to FLOAT
Float to live
- If you’re struggling in the water, fight the urge to thrash around
- Lean back, extend your arms and legs
- Gently move them around to help you float if you need to
- Float until you can control your breathing
- Only then, call 999 or 112 for help or swim to safety
Advice from the RNLI
Float To Live – What To Do In An Emergency – RNLI
Find more tips and advice in the following links:
- 10 Tips for safe summer swimming – The Outdoor Swimming Society
- Water safety: Staying safe in water when the weather’s hot – BBC Newsround