Fire service urges people to consider dangers of open water

28/05/2026

As temperatures continue to soar across the county, residents are being urged to seriously consider the dangers of swimming in open water.

Having seen tragic incidents across the country already this week, including one in neighbouring Lincolnshire involving 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the risks associated with entering the water. This warning comes after two similar incidents within the county over the last two years involving young people, both with tragic consequences.

Residents are being reminded of the dangers of cooling off in open water. Many people, particularly those unfamiliar with outdoor swimming, may underestimate hidden risks. Submerged hazards such as shopping trolleys and consistently low water temperatures mean that 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.

Group Commander James Ball, head of Community Fire Safety, said: “It can be very tempting to jump into rivers and lakes to cool off when the weather is hot, like it has been this week. However, open water can often be much colder than expected and there can be hidden risks beneath the surface.

“We would always encourage families and young people to use supervised venues such as public swimming pools, lidos or lifeguarded beaches where possible. Lakes, rivers and reservoirs can contain hidden debris, sudden drops, strong currents and extremely cold water, even during periods of hot weather.

“One of the biggest dangers is cold water shock. Entering cold water suddenly can cause an involuntary gasp response, panic and difficulty breathing, which can quickly lead to someone getting into trouble, even if they are a confident swimmer.

“It is also important to remember that open water can be deeper than expected, with unseen hazards below the surface. Things like rubbish, shopping trolleys and rubble can be hidden beneath murky water and could easily trap or injure someone. The water may also look calm on the surface, but there may still be strong undercurrents, particularly near locks and weirs, which can pull even strong swimmers into difficulty.

“We know that despite the risks, some people may still choose to enter open water. 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.

“If you are spending time near open water, we would also encourage people to download the what3words app. The app can provide emergency services with an exact location reference, helping crews find you quickly if somebody gets into difficulty.”

Figures show that between 2019 and 2024, 1,602 people in the UK lost their lives in accidental drowning incidents, with 56 per cent (901) occurring in inland waters such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Alarmingly, half of people of who drown had no intention of entering the water, with slips, trips and falls identified as a leading cause.

The data also shows that 82 per cent of accidental drowning fatalities were men, emphasising the need for greater awareness among those most at risk. The message is clear: water safety starts on land, and simple choices near water can save lives.

The Service has previously teamed up with local volunteers to deliver training in the use of throwlines, allowing them to help someone getting into difficulty around river locks, as well as other general water safety tips. A video has been produced to not only provide refresher training for those that have completed it, but to also give an introduction to using a throwline. The video is available below, as well as on the fire service YouTube channel.

For those that do want to swim in open water, here are some useful tips to consider to do that safely:

• If you get into difficulty in water, you should “Float to Live”, by leaning back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat, and try and control your breathing. Once calm, either call for help or try and swim to safety.
• Try and go swimming with someone else, so you can assist each other or call for help if you do get into difficulty. If you see someone else in trouble near water, call for help immediately by dialling 999. Never try and carry out a rescue yourself, you could put yourself in danger too. You can try and find something to throw to them to use as a float or to pull them in if they are near to the edge and it’s safe to do so.
• A really useful tip to help our Control operators and crews to pinpoint your location is giving us a what3words reference. This is easy to do by downloading the app before heading out and encouraging everyone in your group to do the same, making a note of where you’re swimming. The app is free and available to download on any mobile device.