As the Easter holidays begin and temperatures rise across Cambridgeshire, the local fire service is issuing an urgent warning about the dangers of swimming in open water. The reminder follows a heartbreaking incident last Thursday (3 April), when a teenager tragically lost his life after entering a lake in Farcet.
The tragedy is one of several across the country in recent days. A similar incident in London saw a 15-year-old boy drown, highlighting the persistent risks of unsupervised swimming in rivers, lakes, and quarries.
Paul Clarke, Station Commander at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and lead for water safety, said:
“Even in warm weather, the water remains extremely cold – often no more than 4 or 5 degrees. That’s cold enough to cause cold water shock.
Safe Swimming Options and Life-saving Advice
While open water swimming can be enjoyed safely by experienced groups, Paul stressed the importance of awareness and preparation—particularly among children and teens.
“We’re asking parents and carers to speak to young people about the real dangers. We don’t want to see another family facing the devastation of a preventable tragedy,” he added.
For those still choosing to swim outdoors, the Fire Service recommends following the “Float to Live” technique—lean back, control your breathing, and stay afloat until help arrives or you’re able to move to safety.
People are also urged to swim with a buddy and never attempt a rescue alone. Using the free what3words app can help emergency services locate incidents quickly, potentially saving lives.
Public swimming pools and supervised lidos across Cambridgeshire remain the safest option for cooling off this spring. The Fire Service hopes that with the right precautions, Easter break can be enjoyed without further loss.
