• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• News
• UK News
• Drownings

How to avoid drowning if struggling in water as 11 people die during heatwave

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution have offered critical advice for anyone who runs into trouble in the water as they lay out vital life-saving steps everyone must know

[Children play in open water]

View Image

Experts had warned youngsters underestimate the dangers watert - just days before British teenagers died in water tragedies(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

As the pressure grows on the government to place water education on the curriculum now, leading safety advisors have issued vital guidance as the scorching temperatures continue as the drowning death toll rises.

Eleven people have died in open water in the UK and Ireland in the last few days, with many schoolchildren among the victims. Safety experts have issued blunt warnings to teachers and their bosses as children flock to rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the sea to cool off during a sweltering half-term.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has offered fresh advice for anyone who finds themselves struggling while swimming. The lifesaving charity warn that while the air temperature may be warm, the waters are often very cold, and shock remains a very real risk.

Nick Ayers, RNLI Water Safety Lead, said: "Most people when struggling in the water will begin to panic and thrash about. Were urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally.

"Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. Its fine if your legs sink we all float differently. Once youve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety. If youre heading to the coast this week, choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, this is the safest place to enjoy the water."

The Royal Life Saving Society, a drowning prevention charity, fear waiting until September could have serious consequences following the deaths of the teenagers over the Bank Holiday weekend. While education bosses are committed to supporting the plan, the organisation has told them to act fast to prevent further tragedy.

They told us: RLSS UK contributed to reaching a significant milestone towards its goal of embedding lifesaving education in classrooms across all nations with the inclusion of water safety education in England's RHSE curriculum. Whilst a foundation of water safety will be included in Englands school curriculum from September, this vital information needs to be taught now across the UK to prevent tragedies."

The Outdoor Swimming Society also joined the demand for better education about the dangers of water. The time had come to flood social media with warnings as soon as the warm weather arrives, it said.

The society's Kate Rew, author of the Outdoor Swimmers Handbook, stressed that the biggest step toward reducing deaths is not by telling kids to stay out of the water, but by teaching them how to use it. She thinks targeted campaigns on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram will ram home a safety message severely lacking in recent years.

Steps to take if you find yourself in trouble

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Relax and try to breathe normally
• Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
• Its OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
• Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

What to do if you see someone struggling in water

• Call 999 and ask for the fire service - they are best trained to deal with a rescue
• Shout and encourage them to float on their back - let them know that help is on the way
• Find a rescue aid such as a life ring, throw line or reach pole. If there is no public rescue aid equipment, throw anything that will float
• Don't be tempted to go in. The water might be cold, which will limit your ability to swim
• Before pulling someone out of the water, get down on one knee or lie down so you don't fall in
• Keep sight of the casualty to help the emergency services locate them more quickly

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.