Water Safety
Look out for warning signs and take notice of them!
Over 60% of drownings are of people who have ended up in the water by accident. Watch out for slippy riverbanks and trip hazards!
Remember that there are dangers below the water surface that you might not be able to see – strong currents, debris, hidden traps.
Download ‘what3words’ onto your mobile – this will give you an exact location to pass to the 999 services if you need to summon help for someone.
Cold Water Shock
When you enter cold water suddenly your body will initially ‘gasp for breath’ and then you will hyperventilate. As your body tries to control your temperature and keep you warm, your muscle control will reduce and you will be unable to control your movement well enough to swim. All
waters around the UK are cold enough to induce the cold shock effects, even in high summer.
- Roll onto your back to keep your mouth clear of the water so you can breathe
- Float to save energy and call for help
- If you can, get to something that floats so you can stay afloat and call for help
