Reminders to stay safe in open water
Campaigners and bereaved families are giving us water safety tips this Drowning Prevention Day.
Last updated 25th Jul 2025
Over a quarter of accidental drownings are young people according to new research.
The National Water Safety Forum has found that 26% of all accidental drowning deaths in the past five years involved people aged between 10 and 29.
That makes them the most high-risk demographic, and with the Summer holidays upon us, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people entering open water like lakes and reservoirs.
The hot weather over Summer often leads to a spike in deaths in our rivers, lakes, seas and reservoirs.
One key message people often forget in an emergency situation is to not enter the water yourself if you see someone get into trouble.
You might fall victim to the same cold water shock, get caught in the same rip tides, or in debris or machinery that caused the person to struggle in the first place.
A high percentage of people who die by accidental drowning never had any intention of entering the water. But those who do are being told to make sure you have a plan before setting out.
The RLSS highlighted several questions you need the answers to before stepping foot into a lake, sea or river:
"Where are you going to go, and what are those dangers? What activity are you going to do? If you are going to take a stand up paddle board out, or an inflatable kayak out have you got a buoyancy aid? Have you got a way of contacting someone if you get into difficulty? Do you know how to raise the alarm?"
Debbie Gardner’s daughter Emily drowned 10 years ago as a result of a poorly fitted life jacket.
The teenager had taken a trip to Devon with some friends when a wave caused their boat to capsize and her life jacket got caught, pulling her under water.
Since losing her daughter, the mum from Gloucester, has worked with water safety charities in Devon and created ‘Emily’s Code’ to remind people of basic safety checks before heading out to sea.