3 accidental drowning deaths in Cumbria in 2024

The data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) showed that May was the month last year was the month with most accidental water-related fatalities, with 28 lives across the UK tragically lost.

Sadly, when air temperatures increase, this can correlate with a rise in accidental drowning deaths. May 2024 was the warmest on record for the UK, so with more hot weather forecast this spring, water safety experts are urging the public to Respect the Water.

While July and August have historically seen the most water-related fatalities, for the last two years accidental drownings have peaked in the late spring and early summer, coinciding with unseasonably warm temperatures.

With hot weather continuing, the NWSF is calling on the public to Respect the Water and be alert to the hidden dangers—especially cold-water shock.

Although air temperatures are getting higher, open water temperatures remain dangerously cold with many inland waters remaining below 16°C all year round, which is when water is considered hazardous for cold water shock. Sea temperatures are also unlikely to be higher than this at the moment.

Cold water shock is the body’s response to sudden immersion in cold water, leading to an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and temporary loss of swimming ability. This can result in drowning, especially if the person falls into the water unexpectedly.

Figures also show that 84% of accidental fatalities are male, prompting calls from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service for families to reach the men in their lives, and challenge the bravado of youth.

Andrew Lowes is the drowning prevention lead for the service, he said: "If I say to a young man 'you will die, it will be awful' you get the response of 'not me, somebody else'.

"We need to change the way we get that message across. If you are a parent, uncle, auntie we need to talk about the consequences that them drowning would have on you.

"In order to get into their psyche, we need to get the collective 'village' to be educating these young people and get that message across.

"Where are you going, what you doing, how you doing it, who you going with, and it's not nagging, it's concern.

"If your out with your mates, somebody in that group needs to take ownership of that situation and say 'we need to stay away from that water and stay as a group'."

The 2024 figures reveal:

• Inland waterways – rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries – account for 61% of the deaths
• The worst months for accidental fatalities were May (28), August (25) and July (21)
• Everyday activities like walking and running accounted for 37% of accidental fatalities, meaning many of those who lost their lives were not intending to enter the water
• 136 accidental drownings were in England, 33 in Scotland, 18 in Wales and 6 in Northern Ireland.

Respect the Water is the NWSF’s public safety campaign that provides simple, life-saving advice to empower people to take responsibility for their safety near water.

Their advice to people who find themselves in trouble in the water is to float to live:

• Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
• Try to relax and breathe normally while you move your hands to help you stay afloat
• Once the effects of the cold water shock pass, shout for help or swim to safety if you can.

The advice if you see someone else in trouble in the water is to Call, Tell, Throw:

• Call 999 to get help
• Tell the struggling person to float on their back
• Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring, inflatable toy, or bottle.