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 waters.
The family were swimming in the choppy sea when a girl allegedly got caught in a fishing net, witnesses have claimed.
A man, a woman and a teenage girl have all been confirmed dead, while a young girl remains in critical condition.
Record-breaking hot weather across the UK this summer has triggered a sharp surge in accidental drownings.
Safety groups and rescue services report at least 35 water-related deaths since May, heavily affecting children and teenagers entering rivers, lakes and coastal waters during peak heatwave spikes.
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, meaning countless children missed out on crucial early swimming lessons, schools skipping swimming trips due to limited budgets and local pools being shut down.
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 putting yourself in danger.
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 waters
Three members of the same family died after getting into difficulty in the water at Shoreham-by-Sea yesterday afternoon
Visit a lifeguarded beach
To stay safe at the beach, experts recommend swimming only when lifeguards are on duty whenever possible.
RNLI lifeguards patrol more than 240 beaches around the coasts of the UK and the Channel Islands.
They are highly trained, know the local water, tides and weather risks and reach people in trouble very quickly.
Look for the red and yellow flags that indicate where lifeguards are on duty.
Keep an eye out when you arrive at the beach for a sign with important safety information
Stay within your depth and skill level
Staying within your depth and skill level is vital 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 flows directly away from the shore and out to sea – can travel at the same speed as an Olympic swimmer (4.5mph).
This can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea and unexpected waves can quickly knock you off your feet.
To spot a rip current, look for a narrow gap of darker, calmer, or deeper water flowing straight out to sea, flanked by breaking waves.
Watch for a line of foam, seaweed, or sandy-coloured water moving steadily away from the shore.
Wear bright clothing
Wearing bright, neon clothing or swim caps when swimming in the sea significantly increases your visibility to lifeguards, boaters and rescue teams.
High-contrast fluorescent colours stand out sharply against blue and green ocean water, whereas blues, dark tones, and muted shades quickly disappear beneath the surface.
Avoid inflatables
Inflatables like dinghies, some paddle boards and blow-up toys can be dangerous, especially in windy conditions.
Offshore winds can quickly push inflatables far out to sea.
Most inflatables are not intended for use in open water, so keep them close to shore and under supervision.
Keep children close at hand
Children should be supervised at all times on the beach.
Dangers can happen in seconds and items like armbands or lifeguards do not replace active parental watch.
Designate a specific adult watcher if you are in a group so no one assumes someone else is looking.
Agree on a meeting point and remind them to alert a lifeguard if they can’t find you.
Beware of the signs of cold water shock
As well as drowning, one of the most dangerous risks associated with British waters is cold water shock.
This is a sudden and involuntary response that occurs when your body is unexpectedly immersed in water below 15°C – and in extreme cases, it can prove fatal.
Worryingly, the Met Office warns that anyone can be affected – even if you’re a strong swimmer.
‘Even on a hot day, the sea, rivers, and lakes in the UK can remain cold enough to trigger this reaction,’ it explained.
‘It’s a physiological response that can affect anyone, regardless of age, fitness, or swimming ability.’
The Met Office says: ‘Learn to recognise the signs that you’re getting too cold.
‘Shivering, weakness, disorientation, shortness of breath, or taking in water are all signs that it’s time to get out.
‘Once out of the water, warm up immediately with dry clothes and a hot drink. A brisk walk can also help raise your body temperature.’
Don’t get in the water to help someone else
If you see someone else in danger, do not put yourself in danger by getting into the water yourself.
Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring.
Float to live
If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, floating on your back increases your chances of survival.
Official water safety guidance from organisations like the RNLI emphasises that fighting the water or trying to swim hard against a current wastes vital energy.
Tilting your head back and floating lets you control your breathing and survive cold water shock and rip currents.
This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control before calling for help or swimming to safety.
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