Dips can be deadly warning

12:48pm Monday 12th May 2008

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PEOPLE are being warned not to be tempted by taking a cooling swim in open water, no matter how inviting it might seem.

With the weather hotting, up some feel rivers and quarry pools offer a refreshing chance to cool off but police have warned anyone taking a dip in those waters they could be deadly.

A police spokeswoman said: "With such high temperatures, it is easy to understand the inviting prospect of a dip but swimming in unauthorised, unsupervised stretches of water is fraught with danger.

"It is often impossible to gauge the depths of these waters and where water levels are unknown, jumping or diving in can cause serious injury or drowning.

"Water can also be very cold, in stark contrast to the high air and body temperatures. The sudden change in temperature when entering the water can create serious problems for swimmers," she added.

Sadly, she said, there was a history of serious injuries - and, indeed, deaths - resulting from people being tempted by the water so officers' firm advice was "do not be tempted".

She added: "We urge everyone, irrespective of how strong a swimmer they are, not to be tempted to enter any of these waters, no matter how hot it gets - it could be a matter of life and death."