'Two-way chat' needed to prevent open water deaths in Cambridgeshire - fire service
Rescue crews have given fresh water safety advice to families
Rescue teams are warning parents across Cambridgeshire of the dangers cold water can bring after several deaths in the last week.
Twelve people in the UK are known to have died from open water related incidents since the May heatwave began.
An open day at Grafham Water during the May half-term break this week has seen dozens of families take part in activities and water sports, as well as meeting emergency rescue crews to learn about staying safe in and around water.
"The message is not don't go in the water, but understand and respect the water, and understand the sorts of things that may trip you up," Watch Commander Joe Gacon, community safety officer at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, said.
Figures from the National Water Safety Forum show 18 people in Cambridgeshire died by accidental drowning between 2020 and 2025.
Between 2019 and 2024, the National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,602 people in the UK lost their lives to accidental drowning incidents, with 56% of these happening in inland waters such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Water safety must be 'two way conversation'
Mr Gacon said over time, he's learnt more about the dangers of open water and believes talking about the topic can encourage others to stay safe.
"I think it needs to be a two-way conversation; when I was young, I felt I was invincible and didn't have a full understanding of the dangers (of open water)," he said.
"When I went on to become a swift water technician and understand more about how water moved, my eyes widened and I thought about some of the chances I may have taken when I was younger.
"I like to tell those stories so people can understand the risk and when they recognise the risk, hopefully they steer clear of it."
Steve and Becky visited Grafham Water with their children to take part in the water safety open day.
And after the open water deaths in recent days, they hope this puts more emphasis on young people to take water safety seriously.
"Our kids go swimming in a pool, but that's not open water, so it's important as they start becoming more independent, we need them to understand the risks around water," Becky said.
"It's being comfortable and making good decisions and to do it (learn) in a controlled way with people who are trained and have got safety measures in place," Steve added.
Cold water shock warning
Residents are being reminded of the dangers of cooling off in open water and to be aware of hidden risks, such as underwater hazards.
Fire and rescue crews say consistently low water temperatures mean cold water shock remains a real danger, even on hot days.
This can trigger an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, panic, and a sudden loss of swimming ability, drastically increasing the risk of drowning.
"We know that despite the risks, some people may still choose to enter open water," Group Commander James Ball, head of community fire safety at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, said.
"If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember to ‘Float to Live’.
"Tilt your head back, keep your ears submerged and try to control your breathing. Once the effects of cold water shock begin to pass, gently move towards safety or call for help."
Mr Ball also encourages people to use the what3words app, which provides emergency services with an exact location to help crews find someone in difficulty quickly.