We are all grown ups, unfortunately the heat tends to frazzle brain cells and with it common sense.
Sadly many people underestimate the danger of cold water.
As tempting as it is in this hot weather to jump in a river or lake or the sea.
Just a be careful, know the water your getting into never jump or dive into a dark unknown source the depth and hidden underwater dangers.
What about current or tide's?
Water temperature, it's amazing how quickly you can get into trouble and cramp and hypothermia can get you.
Also contaminates.
Alge and bacteria.
Rule of thumb never swim alone, check it's safe to swim in. Coastguard or environment agency.
Watch out for assholes on jetskis and boat's.
Never go out of your depth, and be very careful with inflatables on the sea.
Be safe and enjoy the water but have respect.
End of public safety notice.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I once nearly fell in the river Thames I was alone middle of the night and stood at the top of the steps down to the water which turned out to be the slippiest things in the world I slid from the top to the bottom which is quite far only just grabbed the rail at the last miniute or I would have been in the water |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Cold water shock.
It's difficult in an emergency when you are not thinking straight but.
Pull your knees into your chest and float. Do nothing until your body temperature matches the water.
Then think about what you do next.
Everyone is different of course but that's how I was trained to survive it. |
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Growing up on a peninsula I was always taught about the dangers of water and to have respect for it.
One of the main life skills we learned in primary school was if you accidentally fall into cold water to do a dead man's float (on your back, arms out as wide as possible) while you get your breathing under control and deal with the temperature shock for a minute or two.
Then once you're calm, shout for help, swim to shore (or if caught in a rip to swim parallel to shore until you're out of it).
It's counterintuitive but it does save lives. |
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"Cold water shock.
It's difficult in an emergency when you are not thinking straight but.
Pull your knees into your chest and float. Do nothing until your body temperature matches the water.
Then think about what you do next.
Everyone is different of course but that's how I was trained to survive it."
Beat me to it! |
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It’s tragic when anyone loses their lives, and I really hope people take more care.
It seems to me that a lot of the people who are drowning aren’t those who can’t swim but people who thought they would be fine because they were strong swimmers. You only have to make one mistake, you only have to get into difficulty once.
That was certainly the case with a friend of mine from work who sadly died about 10 years ago, huge powerful guy, very strong swimmer, somehow drowned in a calm flat lake.
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"Cold water shock.
It's difficult in an emergency when you are not thinking straight but.
Pull your knees into your chest and float. Do nothing until your body temperature matches the water.
Then think about what you do next.
Everyone is different of course but that's how I was trained to survive it."
Floating & being calm, yes 
If you’re body temperature matches that of the water I’m afraid you’re bang in trouble!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Cold water shock.
It's difficult in an emergency when you are not thinking straight but.
Pull your knees into your chest and float. Do nothing until your body temperature matches the water.
Then think about what you do next.
Everyone is different of course but that's how I was trained to survive it.
Floating & being calm, yes
If you’re body temperature matches that of the water I’m afraid you’re bang in trouble! "
Body adjusts to the water temperature? |
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By *otSoPoshWoman
over a year ago
In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon |
"Growing up on a peninsula I was always taught about the dangers of water and to have respect for it.
One of the main life skills we learned in primary school was if you accidentally fall into cold water to do a dead man's float (on your back, arms out as wide as possible) while you get your breathing under control and deal with the temperature shock for a minute or two.
Then once you're calm, shout for help, swim to shore (or if caught in a rip to swim parallel to shore until you're out of it).
It's counterintuitive but it does save lives."
That's the recommended way to do it by the RNLI. Except adding wave with one arm if you're within view of the shore.
More people, especially those inland (as they tend to be less informed and more at risk), should be given this advice at an early age and continue being given it.
I can bore on water safety and respecting the water for hours.
And if that helps save one life, or stops my crew from having to launch a lifeboat, I'll do it over and over. |
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Seeing a lot of it on the news lately 