Water safety
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Spending time by the water can be fun, especially during the warm summer months. But it’s important to know how to keep yourself, and your friends safe.
The dangers
Each year, around 400 people drown in the UK, with the majority of deaths occurring during June, July, and August. So, whether you’re a strong swimmer, or you’re just learning to swim, there are dangers to be aware of when entering any type of water:
You should only ever swim in areas where lifeguards are present, such as swimming pools and beaches. Never swim in places such as quarries, rivers or beaches with no lifeguards present.
Cold water shock (hypothermia)
Swimming in cold water may seem like a great way to cool off, but the UK waters are probably colder than you think and could cause hypothermia (when the body gets so cold that it can’t warm itself up again).
The first signs of mild hypothermia include shivering and teeth chattering. If you experience these, get out of the water immediately and warm up with ...
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