Story perspectives

UK Open-Water Deaths Reach 18; Experts Urge Safety Measures

6/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

At least 18 people died in open water in the United Kingdom in 2025, with the National Water Safety Forum recording 202 water-related deaths.
Experts say lifeguarded beaches and wild-swimming sites are safest while RNLI supervisor Jake Butt advises waving and using What3words to locate incident.
Dave Oakley-Jenner, Steve Hall and Becky Hickman advise never swimming alone, keeping a shore watcher, avoiding inflatables, and preventing cold-water shock by entering slowly.

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Story summary

At least 18 people died in open water in the United Kingdom in 2025, with the National Water Safety Forum recording 202 water-related deaths.
Experts say lifeguarded beaches and wild-swimming sites are safest while RNLI supervisor Jake Butt advises waving and using What3words to locate incident.
Dave Oakley-Jenner, Steve Hall and Becky Hickman advise never swimming alone, keeping a shore watcher, avoiding inflatables, and preventing cold-water shock by entering slowly.