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Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity brought together leading experts to highlight the importance of water safety and drowning prevention at a sold out conference held at its Cosford airbase and charity headquarters.
The Drowning Conference, held on Tuesday 2nd June, welcomed healthcare professionals, emergency responders and search & rescue organisations from across the UK and Ireland. Together, they shared expertise, discussed real life incidents and explored ways to improve outcomes for people involved in drowning emergencies.
The conference comes at a crucial time. The recent spell of warm weather saw a significant number of people lose their lives in water-related incidents across the UK. According to the latest figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID), maintained by the National Water Safety Forum (NSWF), there were 202 accidental water-related fatalities in the UK during 2025, many occurring in inland waterways such as rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs.
Attendees heard from key speakers including Professor Mike Tipton MBE, one of the UK's leading authorities on drowning prevention and cold water immersion science, and Ross MacLeod from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), who discussed the urgency in conveying the “Float to Live” messaging.
The programme also featured a powerful presentation from Nicola Jenkins, founder of the Open Water Education Network (OWEN), who shared her personal experience following the loss of her son in an open water incident in 2017 and her ongoing work to improve water safety awareness across schools, emergency services and community groups.
With summer and warmer temperatures approaching, organisers hope the event will help raise awareness of the risks associated with open water and encourage safer behaviour around it.
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."
Ross MacLeod, Water Safety Manager at the RNLI, said: "Every year, we see lives lost because people underestimate the risks of open water. Whether you're at the coast, a river, lake or canal, cold water shock can affect anyone, even on the warmest days.
"If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live. Tilt your head back, relax, and try to control your breathing. Everyone floats differently so it’s vital that you find what works best for you to give you the best chance of survival. This simple piece of advice has saved lives and could make all the difference in an emergency.
“If you see someone else in trouble in the water remember: Phone, Float, Throw.
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is encouraging everyone planning to spend time around water this summer to familiarise themselves with basic water safety advice, including understanding local hazards, avoiding entering water under the influence of alcohol, and remembering the RNLI's “Float to Live” guidance should they unexpectedly find themselves in difficulty in the water.