Beeston mother joins bereaved families to deliver powerful life-saving message
This World Drowning Prevention Day we're delivering a special Get Water-Wise broadcast
A mum from Beeston whose son drowned in the weir is joining other bereaved families across the UK to highlight the dangers of swimming in open water:
"Teach your children how to float, educated children become educated adults."
Nicola Jenkins' son Owen died at just 12 years old back in 2017, when he entered Beeston weir to help a friend that was in difficulty, he did save them, but never got out himself.
She tells us what she wished she'd taught him:
"There is other options than going in the water to save your friends, call 999, find something to throw or something to help them float, there's lots of other options.
"We haven't had many people swimming in here since we lost Owen and I'm hoping that's down to Owen's story but also the signage that wasn't here before which has highlighted the dangers, there's also now a gate to stop people walking on the steps."
She added that the one piece of advice she wished people knew was the skills and understanding about water, "so then the fatalities might not be as high."
Data shows that 14 people died in open water in the east midlands last year. That's 24% of all deaths in England for 2024.
Meanwhile 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.
But would you know what to do if you saw someone in trouble?
Here's some advice below, you can also find out more about Owen's story and get more resources on the Open Water Education Network's Website.
Life saving messages
The Royal Life Saving Society has these tips to get people to safety:
- Tell them you're sending for help
- Call 999
- Tell them to "Float to Live"
A spokesperson from the RLSS told us: "The most important thing is to make contact with them, shout to them and tell them you're going to try to help. Be sure to call 999, and in inland waters, ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
"Your message from the side should be 'Float to Live'. Get them to put their head back, get their lungs full of air which will bring them up to the top of the water."
Don't forget to look out for local signage which might contain step-by-step guidance, and a location name to pass on to authorities.
Find your float
This year, the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day is Find Your Float.
They say that if you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life, but because we all float differently, they're encouraging people to practise.
By practising how to float in a safe environment, you can learn what floating looks and feels like for you, helping you to be better prepared for an emergency situation.
Don't enter the water
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.
The RLSSS told us: "They are in the water because something's happened to them, and you can find yourself in the same incident.
"That means there might be two casualties. Even if you call 999, they might be coming for two people. It's best to stay on the side and think about what else you could use, and try and secure that person from the water's edge."
Make a water safety plan
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?"
#GetWaterWise with these water safety tips
Follow this advice, and stay safe around water
During hot summer days, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea can look really tempting.
But beneath the surface can lie hidden dangers, cold temperatures an unexpected currents.
The Royal Life Saving Society has this advice to stay safe.
Look out for lifeguards
If you're looking for a place to cool off always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it.
It's stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don't swim against it – you'll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help.