WARNINGS AS THE TEMPERATURES RISE - KEEP OUT OF THE WATER

Temperatures are set to soar from tomorrow (10th August) and as the mercury rises, some may be tempted to take a cooling dip into one of Salford's many stretches of open water.

Warnings are being given to make the public aware that doing so could easily put your life in danger.

However cooling and refreshing the basins at Salford Quays, or the rivers and canals may look, no matter how strong you think you are as a swimmer, entering the water can be deadly to those without the correct safety equipment.

The water on the surface may look calm and inviting but there are hidden dangers lurking below in the form of strong powerful currents and chilling temperatures, which have claimed the lives of many over the years.

The water beneath the surface can be far colder than at the top and those entering can very quickly and unexpectedly find themselves going into 'Cold Water Shock'.

There are three stages that your body goes through during this process, starting with one that you will be familiar with a mild version of from getting into the swimming pool… a gasp for breath, this is then followed by rapid breathing (hyperventilation).

At the same time as your breathing goes out of control, your blood pressure shoots up as your body tries to keep your blood warm by moving it towards the middle of your body (this is why you go pale when you’re cold).

Once your breathing is back under control, this is your window to get out of the water before the further effects of cold water shock kick in.

As your muscles cool, your strength, endurance and muscle control reduces to the point when you can’t swim any longer so can’t rescue yourself. The point at which you can’t swim any more is called ‘swim failure’, and if you haven’t got out of the water or managed to get hold of a buoyancy aid (like a lifejacket) by this time, you will drown.

Some claim that you will succumb to hypothermia, but the reality is, you will most likely have drowned long before that will be an issue.

As a news outlet we have reported on a number of those incidents and we can assure you that there is nothing worse than breaking the news of yet another preventable death to the people of our City.

So, with the school break well underway, we are making this plea to those who may find themselves tempted to take a dip in the coming days.

Please think before doing so as it could be the last and worst decision you will make.

Parent's, please be mindful of the dangers and speak with your children about the harm they could put themselves in.

We could be reporting on their premature deaths as we have done so many times in the past with others who have failed to heed the warnings, we really hope not to have to.

Water safety

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in trouble after falling into the water, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself.

First, keep your mouth away from the water until you have your breathing back under control, you can do this by rolling onto your back and floating or paddling to stay at the surface.

Then, don’t waste any time and swim towards an exit before your muscles start to cool, or swim towards something that will help you to stay afloat whilst you are calling for help.

Finally, once you are out of the water re-warm yourself as soon as you can to avoid hypothermia.

If you wish to take a dip, please do so at a sanctioned and supervised venue, a local swimming baths.

These locations have trained lifeguards who are able to come to your aid should you get into difficulties. 

We hope not to have to report on another senseless death this year, each one is preventable by using a little common sense and each is a tragedy for everyone.