Water safety experts share advice for vigilance around open water
Devon and Cornwall have the highest number of deaths by accidental drowning in the UK
Water safety experts are urging the public to be vigilant around open water, as figures reveal Cornwall and Devon have the highest number of deaths by accidental drowning.
Figures released today (Wednesday 28 May) reveal that 193 people died in the UK in 2024 from accidentally drowning.
In Devon there were twelve, and in Cornwall there were nine last year.
"We see a lot of deaths in Devon and Cornwall"
Mike Tipton, Cornwall, chair of National Water Safety Forum, said: "We see a lot of deaths in Devon and Cornwall but a lot of them aren't from there. A lot of them travel from inland. This is not just a coastal problem."
The data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) showed that May was the month last year was the month with most accidental water-related fatalities, with 28 lives tragically lost.
With this month being the warmest May on record for the UK, and a rise in accidental drownings happening when air temperatures increase, experts are urging the public to Respect the Water.
Mike Tipton added: "There are lots of things we can do but they're underpinned by education across the country, not just Cornwall, Devon or London. A lot of the people drowning in these places are coming from further afield."
While July and August have historically seen the most water-related fatalities, for the last two years accidental drownings have peaked in the late spring and early summer, coinciding with unseasonably warm temperatures.
Although air temperatures are getting higher, we're warned open water temperatures remain dangerously cold with many inland waters remaining below 16°C all year round, which is when water is considered hazardous for cold water shock.
"Cold water shock"
James Instance, HM Coastguard in Falmouth, said: "Very often they're not expecting to be in that situation and can be affected by cold water shock.
"Very often it's people who never intended to go in the sea in the first place, so it's trips, slips, falls. People being caught out by the tide or by large waves and they find themselves in the water at that stage."
With hot weather continuing, the NWSF is calling on the public to Respect the Water and be alert to the hidden dangers—especially 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 temporary loss of swimming ability. This can result in drowning, especially if the person falls into the water unexpectedly.
James added: "What we experience in May is the air temperature very often gets much warmer very quickly, so one day it can be 10 or 12 degrees, and the next day 18 degrees. The compulsion is to go to the beach and go in the sea, but the sea doesn't warm up the same way."
The 2024 figures reveal:
Inland waterways – rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and quarries – account for 61% of the deaths
84% of accidental fatalities are male
The worst months for accidental fatalities were May (28), August (25) and July (21)
Everyday activities like walking and running accounted for 37% of accidental fatalities, meaning many of those who lost their lives were not intending to enter the water
136 accidental drownings 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.
Their advice to people who find themselves in trouble in the water is to float to live:
Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
Try to relax and breathe normally while you move your hands to help you stay afloat
Once the effects of the cold water shock pass, shout for help or swim to safety if you can.
The advice if you see someone else in trouble in the water is to 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.