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A warning has been issued to open water swimmers by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) as temperatures continue to soar.
More and more people are expected to head off to popular Huddersfield lakes and rivers, and some may be unaware of the danger that cold water poses.
Chris Bell, the water safety lead for WYFRS, urges people to be aware of the risks. He says, “it’s very cold and open water can have hidden dangers, entrapment risks and dangerous undercurrents. The temperature of open water is often below 15 degrees, which can affect your breathing and movement, leading to cold water shock.”
If you see someone get into difficulty in the water, “call 999 and ask for Fire and Rescue for inland waters in Yorkshire”. He advises people to remain calm to steady your breathing and follow the Float to Live advice from the RNLI.
If you spot someone in trouble, avoid entering the water, call 999 and throw them something that floats, or reach with an object like a branch.
Never enter the water if you see someone in difficulty, you do not know how the cold water will affect you, always call 999 for assistance. Ask for the fire service for inland water bodies like lakes and rivers, or the coastguard for seas.
The fire service recommends swimming in lifeguarded centres and locations wherever possible. Open water lifeguard and duty manager for Love Open Water, Beth Jones says that there are more open water swimmers than ever, due to the mental and physical health benefits. “It’s important to stay safe and vigilant when swimming. Never swim in reservoirs, due to the machinery and mechanisms beneath the surface, and attend venues operated by lifeguards to ensure your own safety.”
“Cold water shock is still a very real possibility, even with warm air temperatures. It takes longer for water temperatures to rise, and the difference between the water and air temperatures can make the water feel colder. Always bring warm clothes to put on after your swim.” Despite temperatures across West Yorkshire hovering around 20 degrees this week, water temperatures remain lower than this – anyone planning on wild swimming should remain aware of the risks and contact 999 immediately in the event of an emergency.