Would you know what to do if you saw someone struggling in the water?
That’s the question firefighters have been asking the public as they took to Durham Riverside today (April 28) to carry out a life-saving water rescue demonstration.
A crew from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) showed the public how to float on their back if they ever found themselves in difficulty in the water and how to throw a life ring to help someone in distress.
Passers-by and Durham city bar staff were also given the chance to try throwing a life ring under the guidance of firefighters as part of the water-safety initiative, which comes during ‘Be Water Aware Week’ (April 27 to May 3) and was supported by Durham County Council.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) campaign aims to raise awareness of water safety and the dangers of accidental drowning.
Durham Station Manager Gary Tough from CDDFRS said: “Knowing what to do if you see someone in trouble in the water could save their life.
“To mark Be Water Aware Week, our firefighters have been at Durham riverside demonstrating how to use a life ring to rescue someone in the water.
“The crew have also been showing the public how to float on their back if they ever find themselves in difficulty.
“It only takes a moment for an accident to happen, so we have been urging the public to remember the slogan, ‘phone, float, throw,’ to help them act quickly in an emergency.
“We need people to immediately call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service, tell the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back and then throw rescue equipment, such as a life ring to help them float.
“However, it is so important that people never enter the water themselves to help a person or a pet in distress.”
The advice comes as many people look to spend time near rivers, lakes and beaches during the warmer weather which often sees a rise in water-related incidents.
Firefighters in County Durham and Darlington carried out 19 water rescues in 2025-2026 and have seen first-hand how people fail to spot the dangers beneath the surface of the water.
The fire service has warned that open water such as rivers, reservoirs, and lakes can be much colder than expected and cause the body to go into cold water shock which can increase the risk of inhaling water and drowning.
Hidden hazards like rocks can lead to serious injury and even strong swimmers can struggle with currents or become exhausted in cold water.
Station Manager Tough added: “We are urging the public not to be tempted to take a dip in open water spots such as rivers and lakes, no matter how tempting they may look.
“If you are a parent or a guardian, please keep a close eye on children near water at all times.”
Durham County Council provides public rescue equipment at open water sites across its local authority area, which are fully accessible to the public in an emergency without the need for a code or phone number to open.
Cllr Joe Quinn from Durham County Council’s Cabinet, who was also in attendance at the event, said: “We are pleased to be supporting County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service during Be Water Aware week in seeking to equip people with information that could potentially save a life.
“We know some people will go into rivers, lakes and reservoirs as the weather improves and the nights get lighter, but it is really important they remember the dangers of doing so, namely the depth and temperature of the water, strong currents and items underwater that may not be visible from the surface.
“Any of these can put lives at risk and that is why it is really important that people are aware of available safety advice such as floating on their back if they get into difficulty in the water, and how to use a throw line if they see someone in distress.”
For more information about the Be Water Aware campaign, visit the NFCC website here.
For more water safety advice, visit the CDDFRS website here.
What to do if someone is in difficulty in the water:
- Phone 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. You can use the ‘what3words’ app to help emergency services accurately pinpoint where you are.
- Tell the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back.
- Throw rescue equipment to help them float and hold onto the end to pull them in.
- Never enter the water yourself to help someone or a pet in distress.
Caption: Durham firefighters wearing water rescue kit on Durham riverside.
