Midlands Air Ambulance hosted a sold-out conference to highlight the importance of water safety and reduce the number of drowning incidents.
The Drowning Conference held at the charity’s headquarters in Cosford welcomed healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and search and rescue organisations from across the UK and Ireland.
They came together to share expertise, discuss real life incidents and explore ways to improve outcomes for people involved in drowning emergencies.
Liam Webb, critical care paramedic at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: "The timing of this conference couldn't have been more important.
"As the weather gets warmer, more people are spending time around water, and that's when awareness becomes so important.
"Many people don't realise the dangers that can exist in open water.
"Even on a warm day, cold water shock, hidden hazards and strong currents can quickly turn a situation serious.
"Bringing together experts from across the country gave us a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge, learn from one another and continue improving how we prevent and respond to drowning incidents.
"If even one life is saved because of the learning shared at this event, it will have been worthwhile."
The recent spell of hot weather saw a significant number of people lose their lives in water-related incidents across the UK.
According to the National Water Safety Forum’s Water Incident Database (WAID), 202 accidental water-related fatalities occurred in the UK in 2025.
Many of these deaths took place in inland waterways such as rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs.
A key focus of the conference was public education around the RNLI’s 'Float to Live' message.
Ross MacLeod, water safety manager at the RNLI, said: "If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live. Tilt your head back, relax, and try to control your breathing.
"This simple piece of advice has saved lives and could make all the difference in an emergency.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity urged people planning to enter water this summer to familiarise themselves with basic water safety advice, including understanding local hazards, avoiding entering water under the influence of alcohol and float to live.
