The local police force shared an important message on social media as an amber weather warning was put in place covering Edinburgh and the Lothians.
As temperatures spike, Police Scotland issued a stark warning about the dangers of entering water during the hot weather. Every year About 400 people die in the UK as a result of being immersed in cold water – more than the number that die from cycling accidents or fires.
READ MORE: Things you can do to keep cool during 'extreme heat' amber warning
Taking to social media they wrote: "Water Safety Scotland (WSS) are urging people to stay safe around Scotland's waterways during the current heatwave.
"As temperatures continue to stay high, WSS is calling on people to follow the Water Safety Code."While it can be tempting to enter the water in warmer weather, sudden immersion can lead to Cold Water Shock (CWS)."
They continued: "CWS can affect even the strongest swimmers as it overwhelms the ability to breathe and to swim, which can lead to drowning.
"With more hot weather on the way, it is important to learn how to keep safe around water, follow local safety guidance and to avoid alcohol on and near waterways.
"The Water Safety Code is an easy-to-remember three-step code, and provides some life saving advice that aims to help keep you and those you are with safe when near open water."
What is cold water shock?
Open water can look very calm and inviting, but strong undercurrents or unseen objects which could trap or injure you, can lie beneath, according to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Cold water shock is the most dangerous element when swimming, and can result in drowning if you don't get out quick enough.
Even the most experienced swimmers can succumb to deadly cold water shock, which causes the body to go into shock and puts strain on the heart.
Anything below 15C is defined as cold water and can seriously impact your breathing and movement. The average sea temperature in Loch Lomond is around 14C in summer, while the sea in the UK is just 12C.
Cold water shock can even happen in a swimming pool, so we are not just talking about icy open water.
The shock of cold water causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow, according to RNLI.
The heart rate is also increased and has to work harder, causing your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can sometimes cause heart attacks, even in the young and healthy.
The sudden cooling of the skin by cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath. This causes breathing rates to change uncontrollably, sometimes increasing as much as tenfold.
RNLI said: "All these responses contribute to a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs.
"This can all happen very quickly: it only takes half a pint of sea water to enter the lungs for a fully grown man to start drowning. You could die if you don't get medical care immediately."
Three stages of cold water shock
There are three stages that your body goes through during cold water shock, according to the UK's Royal Lifer Saving Society.
Stage 1
A gasp for breathe followed by rapid breathing or hyperventilation.
Stage 2
Blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body. This is why you go pale when you're cold.
IMPORTANT: This is the window to get out the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.
Stage 3
As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself.
The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.
What should you do if you get into trouble in water?
First : keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.
Then : don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.
Finally : once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.
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Tips to enjoy the water
Check the conditions
Before you head to a local beauty spot or the coast, check the conditions - including the temperature. Sea Temperature has real-time data on the water and weather in Scotland.
Wear a wetsuit
Even in summer, a wet suit could help you when open water swimming. Wetsuits insulate swimmers, or help them retain body heat. This helps avoid hypothermia or cold water shock.
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