South Coast teenage swimmers urged to 'Be a Mate' in new water safety campaign
It comes as the weather heats up
As the weather heats up for another week, teenagers on the South Coast are being urged to speak up to save a mate from dangerous waters.
It comes after deaths across the UK in open water; including here in Hampshire last week, where a boy died swimming in a lake.
Ashley Jones is Head of Water Safety at Royal Life Saving Society, and is telling us about their 'Be a Mate' campaign.
He said: "Our Speak Up, Be a Mate' campaign is specifically aimed at teenagers/
"We unfortunately have seen a large number of teenagers lose their lives to drowning over the previous two heat waves this year, and that is an unusual occurrence.
"So we see as the weather warms up, naturally people want to go and cool off.
"Unfortunately, what they don't tend to realise is that the water at this time of year is still really cold.
"Things like cold water shock, the gas response, and cold incapacitation, can cause them some serious issues, and get them into trouble.
"So the 'Be a Mate' campaign is really about encouraging those teenagers to look out for each other."
Advice from the campaign for swimming
Mr Jones said: "Our first port of call is always to find a safe place to swim.
"The easiest thing is to go to a lifeguarded beach, a lifeguarded inland open water venue, of which, we're really fortunate now and have about 200 of them dotted around the country, or to a lifeguarded swimming pool.
"If you can't get to one of those, or you've chosen not to get to one of those, really think about what that water looks like.
"Can you see the bottom? Do you know how deep it is? Do you know what the water temperature is? Is there flowing water?
"And then consider your own ability because teenagers really, really frequently overestimate their own ability compared to the conditions."