Fire crews have been called to nearly a hundred water rescues so far this year. That is a 16 per cent rise when compared to the same period last year.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has so far been called to 94 water rescues in 2022. The fire service said that, while taking a dip in the water to cool off may seem like a good idea, more than 62 per cent of accidental drownings took place in lakes, ponds and rivers in 2021.
The fire service has previously said that almost half the number of people who end up in difficulty did not intend to enter the water. A spokesperson for the service has previously said: "Even on a warm day, the temperature in open water can remain very cold, causing a physical reaction which can make it difficult to control breathing. This can cause panic and make it difficult to swim.
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"If you do find yourself in difficulty in the water, don’t panic, fight your instinct to thrash around, lean back in the water and float on your back until the effects of cold-water shock pass. Then you can call for help or swim to safety.
"If someone is in trouble in water, call 999. At the coast ask for the coastguard. If you are inland, ask for the fire service. You should never enter the water to attempt a rescue."
To help keep people safe during this heatwave, AF&RS has revealed its top tips to help you enjoy the water safely:
- Only swim at supervised swimming locations - such as swimming pools, lidos and swimming lakes.
- Never swim alone.
- Always supervise children around and in the water.
- Don't dive into shallow waters.
- Water and alcohol don't mix - save the drinks for after your swim.
- If you get into trouble in the water, remember: float to live.
- In the event of an emergency, call 999 first and ask for the Fire Service.
- Don't try to assist someone from the waters edge.
- Remember, there are hidden dangers - currents, rocks, rubbish and more beneath the surface that you might not be able to see.
- Download What3Words, it can help us find out exactly where you are in the event of an emergency.
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