In the first seven months of 2024, London Fire Brigade crews attended 13 accidental drownings, which is the same as the total number for 2023.
Data shows that the risk is not limited to one area. Since 2019, firefighters from Lambeth, Westminster, Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Hillingdon have each attended more than 20 water-related incidents while firefighters from Richmond, Newham, Wandsworth, Kensington and Chelsea and Hounslow have each attended more than 15 incidents.
With the peak of the summer still to come, there are fears the numbers of water-related incidents will surge this year.
This is supported by findings from the National Water Safety Forum and Royal Life Saving Society, who have today released research showing that significantly more people lose their lives to accidental drowning in the UK during periods of hot weather. They also found that during peak temperatures, teenagers and young adults are proportionately more likely to lose their lives.
To help reduce the risk of drownings in the capital, the Brigade have been engaging with local communities around water safety.
To mark World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July), firefighters took to the water at Hampton Court Palace to demonstrate to the public how to use water rescue equipment, such as throwlines and cradles, to rescue 'casualties' from the water. On the shore, firefighters and the Brigade's Education Team taught adults and children to use throwlines and provided water safety advice.
Assistant Commissioner for Prevention and Protection Craig Carter said:
"Sadly, the risk of drowning increases when schools break for summer, so our World Drowning Prevention Day event was a fantastic opportunity to encourage young people and their carers to understand the risks posed by jumping into water and open water swimming. Often, young people are encouraged by their peers and aren’t aware of the dangers – no matter how experienced a swimmer you are, it can be impossible to know how deep water is or how fast it is moving.
“Even on hot days, the water temperature can be cold enough to bring on cold water shock, causing panic, anxiety, disorientation and loss of muscular control. This can cause you to gasp for air and inhale water.
“Our advice is to ‘float to live’. Instead of struggling, try your best to relax your body. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged and move your hands to help you stay afloat. Spread your arms and legs, and focus on your breathing. Once you feel adjusted to the water, call for help or swim to safety.
“We’re proud to be working closely with the RNLI and Coastguard on a day-to-day basis as we protect Londoners on the water and work to prevent drownings.
"We'd also like to extend our thanks to Royal Palaces for supporting the event and allowing us to spread our message in such prestigious, historic surroundings."
The event was attended by firefighters from Twickenham and Heston Fire Stations alongside the Brigade's Education Team and Fire Cadets. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and His Majesty's Coastguard also supported the event.
The event follows prevention work the Brigade has already carried out this year, along with the family of 14-year-old Brian Sasu who sadly drowned in Richmond in 2022. Pupils from Brian’s school, St Mark’s in Hounslow, were invited alongside his family to Twickenham Fire Station for a water safety event provided by the Brigade’s Education team and local firefighters. The Brigade also wrote to all London councils asking them to take action and carry out risk assessments to ensure waterways in their boroughs have appropriate water safety measures in place.
For more tips on water safety follow London Fire Brigade’s water safety guide.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Monk, Nub News.