At least nine people have died in recent days as people have tried to cool off in Britain’s waterways during the heatwave, prompting water safety experts to warn about the dangers of outdoor swimming. Emergency services have reported seven of the victims were young people, with incidents occurring in Cheshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Cornwall, and Pembrokeshire.
Dr Heather Massey, an associate professor in extreme environments and physiology at the University of Portsmouth, urged parents to ensure children visit supervised swimming locations with lifeguards. She highlighted that many fatalities are triggered by cold water shock, as water remains very cold even when air temperatures soar. 'Unfortunately, this is something we see every year,' she said.
Data from the UK’s National Water Safety Forum shows drownings rise in May and remain high until August, with the majority being young men and more than half occurring in inland waterways. Research from Bournemouth University in 2024 found accidental drowning deaths were three times higher on days above 25°C, with most deaths involving men, particularly those suspected of drinking alcohol.
Massey advises entering water gradually to allow breathing to settle, and recommends the 'Float to Live' technique: roll onto your back, tilt your head back until ears are in the water, and let your breathing calm down. For helping others, the advice is 'phone, float, throw' – call the coastguard or fire brigade, instruct the person to float, and throw them something buoyant.
Gavin Ellis, drowning prevention lead at the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: 'No family should have to experience the devastation of losing a loved one in the water. We know that warm weather increases the risk, so we urge everyone to be water aware.'
