As temperatures continue to ramp up across the country, many young people may be looking for a variety of ways to stay cool.
A common choice is to go dipping in an open body of water, however this can be extremely dangerous. The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK) warns that there are many hidden dangers in the water that could be fatal even if the child or young person is a good swimmer.
The charity noted that there 49 accidental drowning deaths in the span of two weeks in the UK during July 2021. More recently, a 16-year-old boy died in the Aire and Calder Navigation canal, in Wakefield, while the body of another 16-year-old boy was recovered from an abandoned quarry in Wigan.
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“We understand this hot weather brings excitement and sees people heading to the water for fun or to cool off,” says Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK. “But it’s vital to ensure that everyone has an understanding of water safety and makes it their responsibility to educate family and friends on how water can be enjoyed safely to prevent any tragedies.”
Research from the charity discovered that more than 55 per cent of parents wouldn't feel confident that their children would know what to do if they accidentally fell into open water. Heard adds: "We’re seeing lots of young people heading to various waterways including quarries and lakes, but unfortunately they don’t have experience of swimming in these environments."
Here's some tips provided by RLSS that parents can teach their children about the dangers of cooling off in a body of open water:
Cold water can kill
According to RLSS UK, all waters in and around the UK and Ireland are cold enough to induce cold water shock, even during the summer period. This shock makes it difficult to swim with some people even experiencing hyperventilation and high blood pressure,
“They may feel they are strong swimmers in a warm swimming pool, but swimming in open water is a different story entirely, and cold water shock becomes a real factor,” warns Heard.
Assess your surroundings
Children should be taught the 'water safety code' which allows them to take the time to assess their surroundings look for danger and research local advice. Heard advises parents to teach their children to look out for any dangers before getting into any water, such as the depth which may vary across one body.
Remember there may be unseen dangers
There can be many nasty and potentially dangerous surprises lurking under water, including sharp objects, and weeds that legs can get tangled in. “Underwater objects and hazards may not be visible,” warns Heard.
Find out about currents
“Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away,” says Heard. “If you find yourself caught in a riptide, don’t swim against it – you’ll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.”
Look out for lifeguards and safety equipment
A lifeguard's presence at an open water site indicated that the body is a lot safer.“If there’s a lack of safety equipment, there’s increased difficulty for rescue,” warns Heard.
Float to live
Parents should make sure children know that floating could help save their lives if they get into difficulty in open water. “Float to live,” says Heard. “If you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.”
Make sure you’re with friends
Always go swimming with friends or family. “Stay together when around water and always go with family and friends, so if anything goes wrong you’ve got someone there to help,” advises Heard.
Stay near the shore
Warn kids not to swim too far away from the shore. “Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you’re never too far away from it,” he adds.
Know what to do in an emergency
It’s vital that parents make sure their children know what to do if something goes wrong, stresses Heard – “In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast.”
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