Ashley Jones, head of water safety and education for the Royal Life Saving Society, urged people to “find a safe place to swim”.
He advised choosing an area with lifeguards, and again warned of the dangers of cold water shock.
“A lot of the problems we’ve seen recently have been cold water shock related,” he explained.
“When you get into the cold water too quickly, so whether you run, jump, or dive, you gasp and that sharp intake of breath, if you’re under the water, can start the drowning process.
“After that, your heart rate goes up, or breathing rate goes up, and your blood pressure goes up, causing you to panic.”
Jones added: “Crucially, enter the water slowly and keep your feet on the ground until you have control over your breathing.”
