Water Safety

Water Safety Messages from RNLI Teddington Lifeboats

Dangers of cold shock.   Along with most of the UK’s inland waters, the temperature of the Thames (even in summer) can, in areas, be below  15oC and thus dangerously cold.  This brings risks of (i) Stage 1 cold water drowning which can occur very rapidly after immersion in cold water, typically after a jump from a height where the head is immersed, and then (ii) Stage 2 cold water drowning which may happen between 3 and 30 minutes after immersion and which is characterised by often catastrophic swim failure.

Key cold shock-related messages:

• • Don’t jump into the water from a height (“tombstoning”).  As well as the risk of Stage 1 cold water drowning, there is the risk of serious injury or death from hitting the bottom or submerged objects.

  • Don’t swim across the river. Stay close to the bank, close enough to be able to get out safely if you get into difficulty.

  • Understand the “Float to Live” technique. If in difficulty, float on your back with arms and legs outstretched like an X and your head just above water. This will allow your body to settle and recover from the effects of cold water.

Resist peer pressure to do things that you don’t want to do! It’s always braver to say no!

Know what to do in an emergency. Stay calm. Dial 999. Use what you can to get assistance to the person in the water but try to avoid going in yourself. There are now a number of boards with throwbags in them situated at key points along the Thames in this area – know how they work and what to do with a throwbag.

Weirs. The Thames has a number of weirs, areas with large, concentrated water flows often situated near locks. Don’t go anywhere near them. Even in summer river conditions, weirs are extremely dangerous. If you fall into a weir outfall, you run a severe risk of being trapped under tonnes of water and unable to escape.