Stay safe in the water this summer

Before we head out on a hot day, we think about being safe in the sun, but do we think about water safety enough? We might not have beaches nearby, but as the thermostat rises it’s tempting to cool off with a dip in a river, lake, or swimming pool. 

Over half of the patients we’ve cared for following water-related incidents were treated between May and July

Sadly, we see a spike in water-related incidents over the summertime.

Since 2019, we’ve treated 31 patients who have got in trouble in or near the water. Of these, 16 patients were cared for in May, June, or July, that’s over half the total.  

Our crew are specially trained for these types of call outs and our courses often feature realistic drowning scenarios, so that doctors and paramedics know exactly how to operate in this tricky environment. But there are also steps you can take to keep yourselves and each other safe.  

• Be aware of the dangers 

• Know your limits and don’t take risks 

• Go with others and look out for each other 

• Make sure your phone is fully charged so you can call for help if needed 

• If you find yourself in trouble, try to relax and float. 

For more tips on how to keep safe in the water, check out the advice from RNLI water safety experts.