Five teens die in open water during heatwave as RNLI warns of very real risk'

The Independent describes funding and reporting priorities focused on separating facts from messaging and keeping journalism accessible without paywalls. Four teenagers drowned in open water in Britain during a heatwave, leading to urgent warnings from the RNLI. The RNLI cautioned that record-breaking May temperatures do not mean seas are safe, because open water bodies can stay dangerously cold. The charity warned about cold water shock, a severe physiological response to sudden temperature change. Cold water shock can cause hyperventilation, rapid heart rate, and increased blood pressure. In extreme cases, even strong swimmers can be overwhelmed and drown as the body struggles to cope. The warning targets people, including school children on half term, to stay safe.

"Four teenagers have tragically drowned in open water as Britain experienced a heatwave, prompting urgent warnings from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) about the dangers of swimming in cold temperatures. The charity issued its caution on Tuesday, highlighting that despite record-breaking May temperatures over the recent bank holiday weekend, open water bodies remained dangerously cold. This stark contrast can induce 'cold water shock', a severe physiological response."

"Cold water shock can trigger hyperventilation, a rapid increase in heart rate, and a spike in blood pressure. In extreme instances, even strong swimmers can be overwhelmed and drown as their bodies struggle to cope with the sudden temperature change. The RNLI said in a statement on Tuesday: While the air temperature is warm, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk."

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Read at www.independent.co.uk