Worried about my 17-year-old swimming in lakes and rivers with friends

[Ketley67]

I’m worrying myself sick. DS is 17, a few of his friends have learnt how to drive, add in this glorious weather and of course they’re wanting to go to areas with water to swim in.

Yesterday they went to a river, today they’re going to a lake. The lake permits swimming but I’m so worried about them all! I’ve explained the dangers to him.

Not enjoying this age where they’re got a taste of freedom but haven’t fully developed their common sense!

I’ve got a bit of a thing about water safety. I totally understand the nervousness, OP! My kids are strong swimmers, do squad, but it doesn’t matter if they knock their head, get jumped on etc.

God knows how I’ll cope when they’re older!

No advice because thank goodness my teenager hasn’t been tempted to jump into a lake (yet) - but I would totally be feeling the same. I hope all goes uneventfully and that he is thoughtful enough to message you during the day and reassure you he’s ok!

I'd be beside myself with anxiety if mine were doing this. Plus what about waterborne diseases? DH knew a guy who died from Weil's disease that he caught from swimming in a local river. Thank god neither of mine are keen on water or swimming.

When I was about 17 a boy from school died from cold water shock, jumped in a pond and his friends didn’t realise he was in trouble till it was too late. I’ve read 5 teens were killed in a similar way over the heatwave so I think you're right to make your son aware OP.

We once went on holiday to the med, my son was little, about 6 or 7 and a strong swimmer for his size. He went and jumped in the deep end as soon as we got to the villa, it was colder than expected and he came up out of the water like a torpedo or superman flying, it really winded him. We’ve laughed about it for years, but it could have been a different ending if he’d not already done a lot of swimming and had been on his own. Any water but particularly open water and the sea deserves respect at all times.

Being a teenager and therefore knowing everything, focus on the things that might have some impact.

Don't just jump straight in. It increases the risk of cold water shock.
If he does get shock, float to survive (on the back). You can't swim when you can't get air into your lungs.

Your body temperature carries on dropping for 30 minutes after you get out so don't underestimate the cold (although it is warm out).

Absolutely no swimming near weirs. I've seen shots shared on social media that terrify me. The recycling current is impossible to get out of. Your only chance is to swim to the bottom and hope it forces you out but really, just avoid.

Consider what you can't see under the surface and how you'll get out.

22! Where are you with a river temperature that high?

We don't even have an air temperature anywhere close to that

I would def get a water float buoy. Zogg does one in bright orange and it has a waterproof pouch for valuables if needed.

We live where it’s hot and lakes. The lakes are always swam at. BUT it’s very different. Almost everyone uses the lake beach areas which are monitored by lifeguards and other staff. Theres a full lake coastguard with recused boats, police boats, and emergency lake first aid. Plus all day there loads of other tourists around, paddle boards etc .

Nobody with a brain swims in remote lakes. Huge numbers of people now use the bright orange floats in the lake as it’s so deep, a body sinking would be hard to find. Still, every single summer people die on the lakes, or are rescued last minute and fortunately helicoptered to intensive hospitals.

My young son is only just swimming. I still make him wear a full life vest and bright neon rash vest and he’s barely leaving where he can’t touch the floor, plus adults always with him.

You can be a champion swimmer but you can't do it if all the air is expelled from your lungs.

The 'I'm a strong swimmer' is where some of the issues arise. It doesn't matter how well you can swim if you go into cold water shock.

You are probably less likely to panic but that's not guaranteed either.

The assumption it is always weak or non swimmers who drown provides a false sense of security in open water. I'm a sea swimmer but swimming ability isn't enough against a more powerful force.

A 15 year died in a lake near me this weekend, the outpouring of grief from friends & family just highlights how tragic this is.

And that's why 6 people have died over the weekend.

This!!!!

They should know where is safe to swim - near me there is a reservoir I always recommend. It’s chest deep the whole way across, no machinery/holes/anything weird/pipes. Good walk up to it, nice views and nothing to get into trouble with

The number one lesson everyone needs to learn is if they get into difficulty lie on your back. We live on the coast and every notice board, pub window, shop front etc is displaying the FLOAT to live poster. So important

I agree it’s not about strength; good swimmers know the risks, a bad one is ignorant of them. The latter category are more likely to drown.

Most of us learn to swim in heated pools and rarely swim in open water.

The skills are different; but never swim alone, and never get into water if you do not know how you are going to get out again.

Deep lakes can still be cold in summer, especially if you jump in and go down deeperthan the warm surface layer.

Its relative - if you're used to open water you'd probably think 20o was warmish. If you're not, you got hot sunbathing then jumped straight in you'd likely find it freezing and would be enough to make you gasp, which if you do underwater is a problem.

I think we hear less about the sea being cold and this causing problems because its generally not possible to jump straight into it, you get in gradually off the beach and get acclimatised.

Do you watch the news??

It’s not a good idea considering the number of deaths and drowning that happen every time there is warm weather … I would seriously advise against this. Maybe they need to head to a local beach instead, ideally one with other people and maybe a lifeguard! If they want to actually swim do you not have a leisure centre?

The upper Thames can hit 23o during a prolonged hot spell.

Smaller shallows rivers maybe more.

23o is really not very warm! Most heated swimming pools are 28-29oC and they still feel fresh at first.

So my 13 year old and friends are hanging around the beach this year. We live near beach but this is the first year she’s been allowed out with friends and no adults. She’s under strict instructions to stay out of the water though. Some of the beaches hear us have had trouble with teens causing trouble and she’s also been told to stay away from trouble. So far they’ve been sensible and done as she’s told. I’m pleased she’s out in the fresh air and not on her phone in the house all day but it is worrying. She does have find my phone and I do check in with her intermittently. I’m glad we aren’t in walking distance of some of the lovely lakes and rivers where teens like to hang out as there are always incidents.

OP I’d also be worrying on your situation about groups of 17 year olds out on the car together.

Those ladies were not doing open water swimming … it was a totally different situation!
However, many many young people have died from doing what the OPs son has been doing, an awful lot more than 3 and it is heavily advised against, daily!!

That "anxiety" is there to protect us. You'd have to be missing basic survival instincts to not be wary of an activity that just killed 3 people. Furthermore, why would anyone want to swim at the exact spot where someone had died just days before? Grim.

I would say the beach is somewhat safer in that most slop down into deeper water … even better if there is a contained pool.

What doesn’t get talked about is the exhaustion you can feel in cold water as well as the shock if you jump in. You may well get to the side and think you can pull yourself out. In fact that is hard to do. You can exhaust yourself and drown that way because you cannot grip or get the strength to do it.

This is not much to do with youth or relative strength. It is to do with your ability to manage the cold and what it does to your dexterity. The longer you are in, the less capable you will be of any of it.

I can do 10 minutes in very cold water. Then I feel tired. I am planning to get out five minutes in and get to the jetty when I can climb out. Longer and I will lose the ability to use hands and feet to grip.

Four 'youngsters ' have died over the last few days though drowning.I actually had the same conversation with my 16 year old today to warn him of the dangers

The depth makes no difference if you are hot and jumping in to cold water!