The number of deaths caused by open water swimming during the recent heatwave has sadly risen to 17, following the tragic loss of a teenager in Cheshire on Sunday. Many people have been tempted by rivers, reservoirs, and lakes amid the high temperatures, with additional fatalities reported in Warwickshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Pembrokeshire, Lincolnshire, and Lancashire.
Droitwich Spa Lifesaving Club Issues Urgent Warning
Today, Droitwich Spa Lifesaving Club has issued a warning to families in the Midlands to consider water safety education, stating that the deaths have 'brought into sharp focus' why teaching young people to be safe in and around water cannot wait. The club, which is affiliated with the Royal Life Saving Society UK, runs the RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Programme, covering first aid, rescue skills, communications, and hazard awareness, as well as swimming.
Training at Droitwich Spa Lido
This season, while Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre has been undergoing refurbishment, the club has been training at Droitwich Spa Lido. This provides younger members with supervised experience of open-air swimming, learning about water conditions, safe entry and exit, and how to stay calm in unfamiliar environments. The club is open to young people from the age of nine.
New Members Welcome
The club plans to welcome new members when it returns to the newly refurbished Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre in September. Training takes place on Sunday evenings at 6pm. Families with children aged nine or over who are interested in joining are encouraged to join the waiting list now, as places are limited. More information is available on the Droitwich Lifesaving website.
Record Heatwave Temperatures
Temperatures broke records across England and Wales during the Bank Holiday week, reaching 35.1 degrees Celsius at Kew Gardens on Tuesday, 26 May, the hottest May day ever recorded. Many of those who died had entered rivers, lakes, or reservoirs to cool down, unaware of how cold the water remained beneath the surface. The RLSS UK warned that when air temperatures reach 25 degrees, the risk of accidental drowning rises fivefold.
Float to Live Advice
Speaking to BBC Breakfast this week, Jim Bridge from the Water Safety Partnership urged anyone who gets into difficulty in open water to use a technique called Float to Live. He said: 'Lie on your back with your head back, with your ears submerged, use your arms and legs to stabilise yourself and just let your breathing come back to a normal breathing pattern. When you are feeling confident that your breathing is normal, you can shout for help or swim to save yourself.'
