#GetWaterWise Do you know the dangers of drinking near open water?
More than one person drowns each week after drinking or taking drugs. Many never intended to go near the water.
As our campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of open water steps up, we can reveal drink or drugs plays a part in one in five accidental drownings each year.
254 people died in the UK due to accidental drowning in 2020. On average 70 lives are lost where drink or drugs is a factor near our lakes, rivers, reservoirs and seas.
85% of those who die in those circumstances are men.
#GetWaterWise
Cold water, unexpected currents and hidden machinery can all play a part in causing deaths in open water.
Your ability to deal with these factors are hindered significantly if you've had a drink or taken drugs.
You're also more likely to engage in risky behaviour that could end in tragedy.
July and August are the peak months for accidental drownings as people head out to enjoy the sunshine, with nearly half of those who lose their lives never intending to enter the water.
WATCH: The Royal Life Saving Society's "Be a mate" campaign highlights the risk of walking home near water after having a drink
Look after your mates
Helen Bowker-Steer from the Royal Life Saving Society told us: "We would say if you are going out to have a drink, don't walk home by water.
"Make sure you're looking after your friends, carrying them home if you need to, or making sure they get into a taxi so there's absolutely no danger of them going near the water and falling in.
"If you fall into cold water, you're going to have a bigger shock reaction, and you won't be as co-ordinated and you won't be able to get your arms and legs to do what you want them to do. You also won't be thinking straight, so if you have fallen into cold water and you've had a drink, it's really important to remember that 'Float to Live' message."
Float to Live is a life-saving technique that encourages people in water to lie on their back and inflate their lungs so they stay at the surface. From there they can call for help or await rescue.
Read the signs, know the risks
Water safety organisations are urging people to stay away from open water this summer when it is clearly signposted that you should not enter a river, lake, coastline or reservoir.
When swimming is permitted, there are some top tips that can keep you safe.
Get the latest on our #GetWaterWise campaign
Top tips to stay safe in water this summer
Follow this advice, and stay safe around water
During hot summer days, lakes, rivers, reservoirs and the sea can look really tempting.
But beneath the surface can lie hidden dangers, cold temperatures an unexpected currents.
The Royal Life Saving Society has this advice to stay safe.
Look out for lifeguards
If you're looking for a place to cool off always find a lifeguarded swimming site.
It’s colder than it looks
Water at open water and inland sites is often much colder than it looks, cold water can affect your ability to swim and self-rescue.
Don’t go too far
Always swim parallel to the shore, that way you're never too far away from it.
It's stronger than it looks
Currents in the water can be very strong. If you find yourself caught in a riptide – don't swim against it – you'll tire yourself out. Swim with the current and call for help.
Bring a friend
Always bring a friend when you go swimming so if anything goes wrong you've got someone there to help.
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