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Water safety

Every year in the UK, hundreds of people die in accidental drownings and alarmingly, many of them never meant to go into the water in the first place.

In 2023 alone, 273 people accidentally drowned (NFCC 2025). Of those, 84% were men.

Over the past five years, our operational crews have responded to 12 fatal water rescue incidents, each one a tragic reminder of the dangers water can pose.

How to stay safe in and around water

Follow and share our top tips to keep yourself (and others) safe around the coast and rivers, lakes, and canals.

  • Never leave children unattended near water.
  • Know your location, so if you need to dial 999 you know exactly where you are if you or someone else gets into trouble. We recommend you use the What3Words app(link is external) to help locate yourself and others.
  • Be aware of hidden dangers. Water might look calm on the surface but strong undercurrents can pull even the strongest of swimmers under. Underwater plants can also be a drowning hazard if you get stuck.
  • Never walk or play on frozen water.
  • Be careful of swimming in cold water, as it could affect your ability to swim.
  • Try to only swim where there are lifeguards present. Swimming in quarries, lakes, reservoirs, and canals is really dangerous.
  • Pay attention to warning signs and learn what the different coloured flags at the beach mean.
  • Beware of rip currents. If you’re ever caught in one, swim parallel to the shore.
  • If you find yourself in trouble, try to move to a floating position. Lie on your back and spread out your arms and legs, tilt your head up and out of the water and shout for help. If you can, try and raise your arm to make people aware.
  • Stay out of the water if you have been drinking alcohol.
 

Getting into cold water

Cold water shock can occur in water below 15 degrees Celsius. The average sea temperature in the UK is just 12 degrees Celsius, and rivers are even colder – even in summer.

If you enter the water too quickly, for example, if you jump into a river or lake, your body can go into shock. This can cause heart attacks – even in healthy and young people.

The cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath. This can cause drowning as you take in water. It only takes half a pint of water to enter the lungs for a fully grown man to start drowning. You could die if you don't get medical care immediately.

Take your time when entering the water, and never jump into cold water.

If you enter the water unexpectedly, follow the RNLI’s tips(link is external) for minimising the risk of cold water shock:

  • Take a minute. The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so don’t try to swim straight away.
  • Relax and float on your back to catch your breath. Try to get hold of something that will help you float.
  • Keep calm then call for help or swim for safety if you’re able.
 

Transcript for the getting into cold water video

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Everyone who falls into cold water has the same instinct. To swim hard. But cold water shock can make them gasp uncontrollably and breathe in water. Then they drown. 

But if they just float until the cold water shock has passed, then they'll have a far better chance of staying alive.

Fight your instinct - float to live.

Rip currents

The majority of incidents the RNLI beach lifeguards attend involve rip currents. Rip currents are also the major cause of accidental drowning on beaches all across the world.

With an extensive coastline around Devon and Somerset, you should be prepared before entering the sea.

Teaching children about water safety

The following websites are full of helpful tips and activities to help teach children about water safety.

What to do if someone falls into the water

Never go into the water to try to save someone. You could experience cold water shock which will leave you unable to help, even if you’re a strong swimmer.

  1. Call 999 immediately. If you’re near the coast, ask for a coastguard. If you are inland, ask for the fire, and ambulance services. 
  2. Tell the emergency services where you are. You can use your phone, but if you don’t have one or you can’t access location tools then try looking for landmarks or signs that could help the services find you. We recommend downloading the What3Words app(link is external) to help with pinpointing your location.
  3. If the person can swim, shout “swim to me!” The water can be disorientating, but this could help give them a focus. Keep instructions loud, clear and consistent.  
  4. Look for lifebelts or throw bags you can use. Read about how to use a throwline.
  5. If there isn’t any lifesaving equipment, look for other things that could help them stay afloat, such as a ball. You can even use a scarf or long stick to help pull someone in. If you do this, lie on the ground so your entire body is safely on the edge and reach out with your arm. Don’t stand up or lean over the water, as you might get pulled in.
 

Medical help

If you get someone out of the water, they will need medical attention. Even if they seem fine, drowning can occur at a later stage if water has already entered the lungs. It can cause death up to 48 hours after the near-drowning incident.
 

  • If the person is unconscious, check they are breathing.
  • If they are not breathing, they need five rescue breathes and then CPR (30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths). Continue until help arrives.
  • If the person is unconscious but breathing, put them in the recovery position with their head lower than their body.
 

Transcript for the medical help - recovery position video

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This video was made by St John Ambulance.

If you've done a primary survey and established that the casualty is unresponsive but breathing normally, they should be placed into the recovery position to help maintain the airway.

To do this, kneel next to them on the floor.

  • Remove their glasses and any bulky objects in their pockets but do not search their pockets for small items.
  • Make sure both of the casualty's legs are straight.
  • Take the arm nearest to you and place it at a right angle with the palm facing upwards.
  • Take the other arm and bring it across the chest. Place the back of their hand against their check nearest to you and hold it there.
  • With your other hand, lift the far knee up until their foot is flat on the floor.
  • Whilst keeping the casualty's hand pressed against their cheek, pull the far leg to carefully roll the casualty towards you and onto their side.
  • Once you have done this, adjust the top leg so it is at a right angle.
  • Tilt the casualty's head right back so that the airway remains open. If needed, adjust the hand on the cheek to help keep the airway open.
  • If it has not already been done, call 999 or 112 for emergency help.
  • Keep checking their level of response until help arrives.

So remember; if the casualty stops breathing at any time call 999 or 112 and prepare to give them CPR.

And that's how you place someone in the recovery position.

sja.org.uk