Following the tragic drowning of three members of the same family on Shoreham beach, safety experts have urged people never to underestimate the risks of open water.
The family was swimming in choppy seas when a girl allegedly became entangled in a fishing net, witnesses claim.
A man, a woman and a teenage girl have been confirmed dead, while a young girl remains in critical condition.
Britain’s record-breaking warm weather this summer has led to a sharp rise in the number of accidental drownings.
Safety groups and rescue services have reported at least 35 water-related deaths since May, with children and teenagers entering rivers, lakes and coastal waters during peak heatwave peaks hit hard.
Earlier this year, Mail on Sunday columnist and GP Dr Ellie Cannon warned that this is because many young people have never learned to swim.
She blamed several factors, including the Covid pandemic, which caused scores of children to miss crucial early swimming lessons, schools to skip swims due to limited budgets and local swimming pools to close.
In response to the recent spate of drownings, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged Britons to learn what to do in an emergency so you can help without endangering yourself.
Following the tragic drowning of three members of the same family on Shoreham beach, safety experts have urged people never to underestimate the risks of open water.
Three members of the same family died yesterday afternoon after getting into trouble in the water at Shoreham-by-Sea
Visit a patrolled beach
To stay safe on the beach, experts recommend swimming only when lifeguards are on duty.
RNLI lifeguards patrol more than 240 beaches along the coast of Britain and the Channel Islands.
They are well trained, know the local water, tide and weather risks and reach people in trouble very quickly.
Look for the red and yellow flags indicating where lifeguards are on duty.
When you arrive at the beach, look for a sign with important safety information
Stay within your depth and skill level
Staying within your draft and skill level is essential for water safety.
Never enter deep water or open water unless you can confidently stand, tread water, or swim back to safety.
Rip currents – narrow, fast-moving rivers of water that flow directly from the coast to the sea – can move at the same speed as an Olympic swimmer (7.2 km per hour).
This can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea and unexpected waves can quickly knock you over.
To spot a rip current, look for a narrow opening of darker, calmer or deeper water flowing directly into the sea, flanked by crashing waves.
Look for a line of foam, seaweed, or sand-colored water moving steadily away from shore.
Wear light clothing
Wearing bright neon clothing or swim caps while swimming in the sea greatly increases your visibility to lifeguards, boaters and rescue teams.
High-contrast fluorescent colors stand out sharply against blue and green ocean water, while blues, dark tones and muted tones quickly disappear beneath the surface.
Avoid inflatable objects
Inflatable boats such as dinghies, some paddle boards and inflatable toys can be dangerous, especially in windy conditions.
Offshore wind can quickly push inflatable boats far out to sea.
Most inflatables are not intended for open water use, so keep them close to shore and under supervision.
Keep children within reach
Children must be supervised at all times on the beach.
Dangers can occur in seconds and items such as bracelets or lifeguards are no substitute for active parental supervision.
Designate a specific adult viewer if you are in a group so no one assumes someone else is watching.
Agree on a meeting point and remind them to alert a lifeguard if they can’t find you.
Watch out for the signs of cold water shock
Next to drowning one of the most dangerous risks associated with British waters is a cold water shock.
This is a sudden and involuntary reaction that occurs when your body is unexpectedly immersed in water below 15°C – and in extreme cases can be fatal.
Worryingly, the Met Office warns that it can affect anyone, even if you are a good swimmer.
‘Even on a warm day, Britain’s sea, rivers and lakes can remain cold enough to cause this reaction,’ the report explains.
‘It is a physiological response that can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness level or swimming ability.’
The Met Office says: ‘Learn to recognize the signs that you are getting too cold.
“Shaking, weakness, disorientation, shortness of breath, or swallowing water are all signs that it’s time to get out.”
‘Once you are out of the water, warm up immediately with dry clothes and a warm drink. A brisk walk can also help raise your body temperature.’
Do not enter the water to help someone else
If you see someone else in danger, do not endanger yourself by entering the water yourself.
Instead, remember phone, hover, throw – call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something floating, like a life ring.
Float to live
If you are having trouble in the water, floating on your back will increase your chances of survival.
Official water safety guidelines from organizations such as the RNLI emphasize that fighting the water or trying to swim hard against the current wastes vital energy.
By tilting your head back and floating, you can control your breathing and survive shock from cold water and currents.
This buys you valuable time to regain control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
