This weekend is set to be a scorcher, so officers are asking the public to remember the dangers of swimming in open water.
With temperatures potentially reaching 30 degrees, the idea of jumping into the River Trent, local canals, or lakes may be a popular idea amongst children and adults.
To showcase the dangers and some of the conditions, our Underwater Search Team while on a training dive took a GoPro under the surface of the Trent.
With the help of a head torch, you can see what our diver saw – murky waters, low visibility, and tall reeds.
Our divers are trained, wear full diving kit, and have the added aid of a rope and torches.
Children and adults who take the risk of diving into places like the Trent won’t have these aids – putting them at serious risk of harm.
Our message is simple: speak to your children, friends, and family members about not taking the risk this summer and jumping into inland water.
Water may look safe, especially a familiar stretch local to you, but poor decisions around it can create dangerous situations.
Inspector for Rushcliffe, Tim Cuthbert, said: “It’s going to be incredibly warm this weekend and we all want to be out there enjoying a bit of summer.
“We’re all going to be trying to stay cool but jumping into open water and putting yours and others’ lives at risk.
“The Trent and other rivers and canals around Nottinghamshire may look incredibly enticing but you won’t know the dangers that lurk beneath the surface.
“There are no lifeguards, you don’t know how deep it is, or what’s in the water.
“You could get tangled up in the weeds, land on a discarded shopping trolley, and hurt yourself.
“Even with the hot weather, the water could still be cold causing you to go into cold water shock.
“No matter how strong of a swimmer you believe you are, if your mates are jumping in, or you’re following a trend on TikTok and egging each other on – remember the dangers. Don’t just be a bystander, tell them they could get seriously hurt.
“Please enjoy the good weather but don’t go jumping or swimming in open water, it’s really not worth the risk.”
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