Water safety experts are reinforcing the "Float to Live" strategy as the number of reported open-water deaths in the UK this summer has reached 43. This figure follows a total of 202 water-related fatalities across the UK in the previous year. The urgent advice comes in the wake of a recent tragedy off Shoreham-by-Sea, where three members of the same family drowned.
Hossam El-Khawas, his wife Zeina Alyan, and their teenage daughter Sarah died after encountering difficulties while swimming. Their youngest daughter remains in critical condition. Witnesses suggested a fishing net may have been involved in the incident. Mr. El-Khawas was a Palestinian refugee who had relocated to the UK from a camp in Lebanon.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) emphasizes two critical survival skills: floating when in distress and calling emergency services if witnessing someone in trouble. The "Float to Live" mantra advises individuals in difficulty to tilt their head back with ears submerged, relax, and try to breathe normally. It also suggests moving hands to stay afloat, not panicking if legs sink, and spreading arms and legs for stability.
Experts highlight cold water shock as a significant danger, which can be triggered by water temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). This shock can cause involuntary gasping, panic, loss of swimming ability, and a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to a heart attack. Even in summer, UK and Irish waters often hover between 12C and 15C, making cold water shock a persistent risk.
Rip currents, capable of moving as fast as Olympic swimmers, and unexpected waves also pose threats, capable of disorienting swimmers and pulling them out to sea. The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) reported 202 accidental water-related fatalities in the country in 2025. Contrary to a common perception, 57% of these deaths occurred at inland locations like rivers, lakes, and canals, not just coastal areas.
Data indicates that men account for 85% of accidental fatalities, with the 60-69 age group being most affected. However, 43% of all accidental water-related deaths were individuals under 40. August saw the highest number of fatalities this summer, with 31 deaths, followed by June and July with 27 each. In total for the current year, 150 deaths were confirmed in England, 39 in Scotland, 12 in Wales, and one in Northern Ireland.
The NWSF recommends swimming in supervised areas with lifeguards, thinking before entering the water, and entering slowly to mitigate cold shock. They also promote the 'Phone Float Throw' campaign for bystanders, urging them to call 999, reassure the person in distress to float on their back, and throw buoyant aids.
Between 2019 and 2023, England recorded 2,306 water-related deaths, with 42% deemed accidental. The recent hot and dry weather has contributed to numerous incidents. In July, three members of a family, including a seven-year-old boy, died in West Mersea, Essex, after getting into difficulty. Another incident involved a 14-year-old boy drowning at Millwall Outer Dock in east London on August 3, followed by a 13-year-old boy in the sea off Hornsea, East Yorkshire, the next day.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed sympathy for the Shoreham victims, acknowledging that while emergency services were prompt, there is always more that can be done to improve water safety. He reiterated the dangers of open water, particularly the risk of cold shock, and praised the emergency responders for their efforts throughout a busy summer. A national strategy to address drowning as a public health issue was launched in England on July 23.