Think twice before entering any body of water during warm weather – you might not make it out. After my best friend nearly drowned while saving another woman from powerful currents off a Spanish beach, I was left wondering how quickly a day in the sea can turn into a fight for survival.
A Terrifying Phone Call
Last week, I got a phone call from my best friend while she was away in Spain celebrating a friend's birthday. When I saw her name flash up on my screen, I assumed she wanted to vent about some holiday drama – perhaps an argument among the group or a disappointing night out. I couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, she told me she had nearly drowned in the sea at Grandes Playas in Corralejo. Not only that, but she had also saved one of her closest friends from drowning. I was completely shaken.
The idea of my best friend being in that position is difficult to process even now. She described the terrifying reality of what happened. One moment she was enjoying the water, the next she found herself being pushed under by a powerful force she couldn't control. Despite being a strong swimmer, she was unable to stay above the surface. Every attempt to keep afloat seemed futile as she swallowed mouthfuls of seawater.
A Split-Second Decision
Then she looked back and saw her friend struggling even more. Her friend was clearly in distress, reaching out towards her as panic set in. In that split second, my best friend had to make a decision. Despite fighting for her own life, she turned back. Somehow, she managed to grab hold of her friend and bring them both back towards shore. It is hard to imagine the courage that must have taken.
What makes the story even more shocking is what happened afterwards. Despite calling for help from lifeguards, no one came to assist them. They were left to process one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives completely alone. There had been no obvious warning signs before they entered the water. The conditions did not appear dangerous. My friend is an experienced swimmer. Yet none of that mattered when the sea decided otherwise.
The Unpredictable Power of the Sea
In recent years, we have seen far too many tragedies in the UK involving people getting into difficulty in the water – there have been at least 11 deaths in the recent warm weather alone. Every summer brings heartbreaking headlines of lives lost at beaches, rivers and coastal beauty spots. Too often, people assume these incidents only happen to weak swimmers, children or those taking risks. The reality is very different.
The sea does not care how confident you are. It does not care how fit you are. It does not care how many times you have swum before. It is unpredictable, powerful and capable of overwhelming even the strongest swimmers within seconds.
I am incredibly grateful that my best friend is still here. Her actions also reminded me exactly why she is my best friend. She is the type of person who would turn back for anyone in need. But there is another sobering reality. Both of them could have died because she made that choice. While her bravery undoubtedly saved a life and I am prouder of her than ever, the situation should never have happened in the first place.
A Call for Water Safety Awareness
We need to do more to raise awareness about water safety. We need to teach our children – and remind ourselves – about the risks that exist beneath the surface. We need to understand currents, rip tides and changing conditions before stepping into open water. Most importantly, we need to recognise that confidence is not the same as safety.
The sea is beautiful. It creates memories, offers escape and provides welcome relief during the summer heat. But no swim, no photograph and no moment of fun is worth a life. My friend was one of the lucky ones. Too many others are not. If sharing her story makes even one person think twice before entering dangerous waters or encourages someone to learn more about water safety, then something positive can come from an experience that could so easily have ended in tragedy.
