LIFE SAVER
How to stay alive in the water as heatwave drowning death toll hits 17 including boy, 13,and at least 6 other teenagers
EXPERTS have advised swimmers how to stay alive if they get into trouble in the water as the UK's drowning death toll hits 17.
Authorities have issued warnings about the dangers of swimming to cool off during the heatwave as temperatures soar above 32C.
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The RNLI urged people who take a dip during the searing heat to float on their back and relax if they get into trouble.
Cold water and panic can put swimmers in trouble when bathers enter open water on a hot day.
A boy of 13 and at least six other teenagers are among those who have drowned during July's hot weather.
The family of Jay Moffett, 13, who died after getting into trouble in a lake in Northern Ireland, said they were "heartbroken".
RNLI ADVICE
Tributes have been paid to Caden Taylor, 15, who drowned in a canal in Knottingley, West Yorkshre, just two months after the death of his mother.
A 55-year-old man who died after swimming in a lough in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, was the latest victim.
The body of a teenage boy was pulled from the River Trent in Swarkstone, Derbyshire, around 11.30am yesterday after getting into difficulty on Tuesday afternoon.
And later that evening a man drowned at Stanborough Lakes in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
Another man's body was recovered yesterday from Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex.
We are urging the public to please think before entering the water. If you aren't experienced in being in cold, open water then please stay out, unless supervised.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK
A video on BBC Breakfast demonstrates what swimmers should do if they get into trouble in the water, which can be particularly cold at this time of year.
People are urged not to panic and rest in the water and try to gather their thoughts continue to float until help arrives.
Following this week's spate of drownings, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS) warned people tempted to cool off in open water to "stay out, unless supervised"
The RLSS UK tweeted: "A weekend of truly tragic fatal drownings, now rising to an expected 11 lives lost.
'TRAGIC DROWNINGS'
"We are urging the public to please think before entering the water. If you aren't experienced in being in cold, open water then please stay out, unless supervised."
RNLI Water Safety Manager Sam Johnson said they were seeing a "big increase" in incidents in the sea involving children.
He said: "Our main advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
"Children should be supervised at all times and people of all ages should avoid swimming alone.
"We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency."
Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard, said they were had seen emergency callouts soar last month compared to last June.
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On Saturday, two people drowned while swimming in scorching hot conditions.
A holidaymaker in the sea near Blackpool, Lancs, died after "accidentally getting out of his depth".
And 16-year-old Mohammad Abdul Hamid drowned after entering the River Eden in Rickery Park near Stony Holme, Carlisle.
A further eight deaths were recorded on Sunday - the hottest day of the year.
A woman in her 60s was recovered from the water at Axmouth Harbour, Devon, while a man's body was pulled from the water in a disused quarry in Dove Holes in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Elsewhere, emergency crews discovered a body in the lake in Crookes Valley Park, South Yorks, following an underwater search.
Police also discovered the body of Ngapee Merenga, 19, who vanished in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester.
And a teenage girl was confirmed to have died after getting into difficulty at Ducklington Lake, in Witney, Oxfordshire.
HEATWAVE TRAGEDIES
The grim discovery of another body was later made at Pugneys Country park, Wakefield, after a man swimming on an inflatable unicorn was reported missing.
Councillor Michael Graham said the "tragic incident" served as a "stark reminder of the very real dangers of swimming in open water".
A similar warning was issued after the body of a missing swimmer was found in Ardingly Reservoir, Sussex.
Staff said the cold water temperature, silt, as well as hidden pipework and machinery, make conditions extremely dangerous.
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In York, the body of a man in his 50s was recovered from the River Ouse, close to the Water End Bridge, on Sunday evening.
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The following day, two teenagers drowned - Jay Moffett, 13, died after getting into trouble in a lake in Scarva, Co Down, Northern Ireland, and a 16-year-old boy in the River Weaver in Frodsham, Cheshire.
Authorities are continuing to issue warnings as temperatures remain in the high 20s and low 30s - with more heat on the way.
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Body of boy, 15, pulled from river and man dies in lake as heatwave death toll reaches 15