Latest news with #watersafety
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
RNLI warns of cold water risk as temperatures soar
Lifeguards in the South East have warned those enjoying the hot weather this weekend to be wary of cold water shock as seaside temperatures are set to soar to around 30⁰C (86⁰F). Water safety teams from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) say that water temperatures will remain cold enough to be dangerous despite Sussex and Kent nearing the heatwave threshold. Guy Addington, water safety lead for the RNLI in the South East, said those heading to the seaside should choose beaches with lifeguards on them and to stay afloat if they get into difficulty. Amber heat health warnings are in place across the UK until 09:00 BST on Monday as temperatures could hit 31⁰C over the weekend. Mr Addington said: "Heading to the coast in hot weather is a great way to have fun, relax and cool off – but the water can be dangerous. "If you get into trouble in the water, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently." Cold water shock occurs when the body is suddenly immersed in water typically below 15⁰C (59⁰F) and can cause hyperventilation, gasping for air and a rise in heart rate. The impact of the shock can lead to difficulty in swimming, putting even experienced swimmers at risk of drowning. The RNLI provides lifeguards across the South East, including most recently in Brighton and Hove. Ed Stevens, lifeguarding lead for the South East, said: "Our lifeguards have undertaken extensive training to be able to provide an excellent lifesaving service. "It's important to check the times and season dates of your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach and to listen to any local advice they can give you – they are there to help keep us safe." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. South East braces for potential heatwave Amber heat health alerts in place as temperatures above 30C likely When is a heatwave really a heatwave? RNLI
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
RNLI warns South East sunseekers over cold water shock
Lifeguards in the South East have warned those enjoying the hot weather this weekend to be wary of cold water shock as seaside temperatures are set to soar to around 30⁰C (86⁰F).Water safety teams from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) say that water temperatures will remain cold enough to be dangerous despite Sussex and Kent nearing the heatwave Addington, water safety lead for the RNLI in the South East, said those heading to the seaside should choose beaches with lifeguards on them and to stay afloat if they get into heat health warnings are in place across the UK until 09:00 BST on Monday as temperatures could hit 31⁰C over the weekend. Mr Addington said: "Heading to the coast in hot weather is a great way to have fun, relax and cool off – but the water can be dangerous."If you get into trouble in the water, tilt your head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if you can. It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently." Cold water shock occurs when the body is suddenly immersed in water typically below 15⁰C (59⁰F) and can cause hyperventilation, gasping for air and a rise in heart impact of the shock can lead to difficulty in swimming, putting even experienced swimmers at risk of RNLI provides lifeguards across the South East, including most recently in Brighton and Stevens, lifeguarding lead for the South East, said: "Our lifeguards have undertaken extensive training to be able to provide an excellent lifesaving service."It's important to check the times and season dates of your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach and to listen to any local advice they can give you – they are there to help keep us safe."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
South Yorkshire fire chief calls for minister for drownings
South Yorkshire's most senior firefighter has met MPs to call for the government to do more to prevent lives lost to fire officer Chris Kirby visited Parliament this week as part of the Royal Life Saving Society's (RLSS) Drowning Prevention joined the group in asking for a change in the law, as drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the UK, but has no dedicated minister in Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is called when people swimming in open water during warm weather get into difficulties. Mr Kirby said: "What we've noticed in the fire and rescue service over the last 10 years is the significant increase in the number of people who are getting into difficulties within the water."They often don't intend to climb in the water, but our climate is getting warmer and we're having sustained periods of warm weather so people will be attracted to the water."We want to encourage people to swim safely, understand their limitations, and we're just calling out more awareness for water safety matters."We also want there to be a government minister responsible for water safety in England and also want the government to realise that responding to emergencies is not a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England, yet it is in the devolved nations including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland." He also issued advice for people who may find themselves in difficulty in the water this Kirby said: "We want to make sure they know how to float by laying on their back, keeping their head above water, and gently paddling their arms and legs and breathing normally."When people start to panic they are much more likely to get into difficulties."We also recommend people to never swim alone, do it with friends or at least make sure there is somebody to call 999 if anyone does get into difficulty." Also attending the event was Simon Haycock, whose son Sam died in Ulley Reservoir, near Rotherham, in said he was continuing to share the story of Sam's death as the dangers of open water still needed said: "Seeing South Yorkshire Police recently put out a warning about young people being seen swimming at the reservoir made me feel gutted as it is painful to hear people are still going in there."These waters are not safe to swim in and most of the places people swim in, they're not thinking about their strategy of, 'how am I going to get out', or 'how hard is it going to be if I get in trouble for someone to come rescue me?' "There's all these factors and risk assessing that they are not doing – they are just having fun and they are putting themselves in danger without even knowing it."We've learnt the hard way and we don't want other families going through what we went through as it's heartbreaking, We were robbed of a future with Sam just for him having a bit of fun."The BBC has contacted the government for a response. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
'Float to live' advice from Jersey RNLI ahead of summer season
Families are being encouraged to talk about staying safe in the water as part of this year's drowning prevention week in year's theme focuses on starting conversations around water safety at home with parents, carers and children ahead of the summer Tredant from the RNLI in Jersey said crews had already gone out on a few rescues this said swimmers should follow the "float to live" advice if they did get into difficulties. "We're advising people to tilt their head back and relax. Gently move your hands and legs. If your legs sink, that's ok, everybody's body floats differently," he suggested practising the technique when safe to do will be at El Tico and Watersplash in St Ouen's Bay, Plémont, Grève de Lecq and St Brelade's Bay daily from 10:00 BST to 18:00 this Tredant also advised people to stick to beaches with lifeguards and for parents to tell their children to swim between the red and yellow flags, which mark safe places to water temperature is still only 15C, he warned, and swimmers should acclimatise gently, rather than running or diving in straight away. Mr Tredant said if swimmers did get caught in a rip "don't try to swim against it, or you'll get exhausted".He said they should put their feet down if possible and wade in, or swim parallel to the shore to avoid getting caught. People should also raise their hand in the air and shout out to alert the lifeguards.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Yorkshire Water warns pupils of open water dangers
Yorkshire Water has issued a warning about the dangers of swimming in open water. As part of The Royal Life Saving Society's Drowning Prevention Week, the water company has urged schools to sign up to its virtual education sessions aimed at goal of the sessions is to prevent accidental drownings, following deaths in the region. They will run on 18 and 19 June and are particularly aimed at children aged 5 to 15. Sessions will educate students on cold water shock, hidden undercurrents and unseen operational machinery, as well as what to do in an emergency Reed, education manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "With temperatures on the rise and the summer holidays fast approaching, we understand how tempting open water can appear to young people wanting to cool off and have some fun."However, open water is extremely cold, even on warm days, and can cause cold water shock that may lead to hyperventilation, increased blood pressure, breathing difficulties and ultimately death."She added there were unseen dangers under the water, such as objects or strong currents associated with machinery present in reservoirs."The aim of our live water safety lessons is to explain how students can help keep themselves and their friends safe, endorse messaging about where to find safe places to swim, and explain in detail why there are hidden dangers in open water areas, how to react and who to contact in an emergency situation," Ms Reed said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
