City Sailing · video

What this video covers

Cold water shock kills a swimmer within the first seconds of immersion — not hypothermia — and accounts for roughly 60% of UK cold-water drowning deaths, according to Professor Mike Tipton.4:51 The initial gasp reflex draws two to three litres of air; the lethal dose of water into the lungs is about one and a half litres, meaning a single wave over the face during the hyperventilation that follows can be fatal.5:34 A 15-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty at a lake in Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham; a separate fatality occurred when Brian Sasu jumped into the Thames near Tags Island in Richmond and did not surface.2:14 Thames rescue crews report a sharp rise in incidents during hot weather, citing fast currents, undercurrents, cold water shock, alcohol, and peer pressure as compounding factors.3:37 The "Float to Live" technique — tilt head back, ears submerged, relax, breathe normally, use hands to stay afloat — is demonstrated as the correct immediate response.0:44 A scripted scenario shows bystanders using a throwback station (code LDN15) and calling 999 rather than entering the water.7:57 Fitter individuals show a smaller cold shock response; the primary advice is to stay out of open water entirely.6:43

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