May 2024 was the month with the most accidental water related fatalities, with 28 lives tragically lost.
Sadly, we know that when air temperatures increase, we often see a rise in accidental drownings - with May 2024 being the warmest on record for the UK, water safety experts are urging the public to "Respect the Water" as the spring weather continues to be warm this year.
With more hot weather promised across the UK in the coming weeks, increasing numbers of people will be spending time on or near the water. The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) is reminding everyone to enjoy the water safely by being aware of the risks, and by knowing how to help themselves and others in an emergency.
Professor Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth's Extreme Environments Laboratory ( School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences ) is The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) Chair, and leading expert in water safety and cold water shock. He said: "Each one of these fatalities represents a tragedy and the loss of many years of life, all those involved have my deepest condolences. The National Water Safety Forum will continue to work tirelessly to reduce drownings in the UK through data-driven education, interventions, communication, and campaigns.
"Because it is clear that drowning can occur anywhere and to anyone, I urge the general public to visit the National Water Safety Forum's Respect the Water website to learn about water safety, and how to prevent themselves and others from drowning. A small amount of time devoted to drowning prevention could save many lives."
Although air temperatures are rising, open water temperatures remain dangerously cold - many inland waters such as lakes and rivers remain below 16°C all year round, which is when water is considered hazardous for cold water shock. Cold water shock is the body's response to sudden immersion in cold water, leading to an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, and loss of swimming ability. This can result in drowning, especially if the person falls into the water unexpectedly.
Sadly, 193 people accidentally died in water-related fatalities in 2024. Additionally, there are a further 206 cases where the cause is still unknown, meaning the number of accidental fatalities is likely to increase as additional information becomes available from coroners.
The 2024 Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the NWSF, shows us that:
- Inland waterways, such as rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and quarries, continue to be the leading locations for accidental drowning, accounting for 61 per cent of deaths
- Males continue to be over-represented, with 84 per cent of accidental fatalities
- Of the 193 confirmed accidental fatalities in the UK in 2024, 28 occurred in May, with 25 in August and 21 in July
- Everyday activities like walking and running accounted for 37 per cent of accidental fatalities, meaning many of those who lost their lives were not intending to enter the water
- Of the 193 accidental fatalities, 136 were in England, 33 in Scotland, 18 in Wales, and 6 in Northern Ireland.
Respect the Water is the NWSF's public safety campaign that provides simple, life-saving advice to empower people to take responsibility for their safety near water. This includes knowing what to do if you find yourself in trouble in the water, and knowing what to do if you spot someone else in difficulty.
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float to live:
- Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
- Relax and try to breathe normally
- Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
- It's OK if your legs sink, we all float differently
- Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.
If you see someone else in trouble in the water this summer, remember Call, Tell, Throw:
- Call 999 to get help
- Tell the struggling person to float on their back
- Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring, inflatable toy, or bottle.
The NWSF will be promoting the Respect the Water campaign throughout the summer, including a campaign focused on how to float to coincide with World Drowning Prevention Day on 25th July.
To view and download the WAID 2024 report, visit the NWSF website .
