The perils of swimming in open water have been laid bare following the deaths of five children with a drowning prevention charity demanding schools get water safety on the curriculum now11:11, 26 May 2026Updated 16:56, 26 May 2026Water safety experts have issued blunt warning to schools after five tragic teenagers drowned over the Bank Holiday weekend.‌The family of a 15-year-old boy who died in a lake have spoken out amid their grief to urge others to be aware of the dangers of open water. Declan Sawyer was discovered during a search of Swanholme Lakes near Lincoln on Sunday while the UK was recording record-breaking high temperatures.‌There is torment too for the family of another teenage boy who "went missing in water" while cooling off at a popular country park in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Bank Holiday Monday. Police have this morning confirmed that a body has been recovered after an overnight search.‌Yesterday, a 13-year-old, named locally as Reco, was pulled from the water after he drowned in Leadbeater Dam near Halifax, West Yorkshire.READ MORE: Body of teen boy found in lake after he disappeared while swimmingREAD MORE: When the heatwave finally ends as UK records first-ever 'tropical night'Abbie Carmody-Pepper, also 15, lost her life while bathing at Burrow Beach, Sutton, Dublin, this weekend. Her death came hours after the body of a teenage girl was retrieved from the water at Kingsbury Water Park in Warwickshire. Flowers were placed at the location in memory of the victim, identified locally only as Lil, who was said to be 16-years-old.‌Today, a drowning prevention charity demanded schools get open water safety on the curriculum now - as it could be too late by the time lessons start next year.The Royal Life Saving Society fear waiting until September could have serious consequences following the deaths of the teenagers over the Bank Holiday weekend. While education bosses are committed to supporting the plan, the organisation has told them to act fast to prevent further tragedy. They told us: “RLSS UK contributed to reaching a significant milestone towards its goal of embedding lifesaving education in classrooms across all nations with the inclusion of water safety education in England's RHSE curriculum. Whilst a foundation of water safety will be included in England’s school curriculum from September, this vital information needs to be taught now across the UK to prevent tragedies.‌“We can all contribute to creating communities free from drowning. We urge parents, carers, teachers, and community providers to use RLSS UK’s free, accessible water safety resources to educate children and teens with critical information today so that everyone can have a safe summer.”Declan's father Carl paid a heartbreaking tribute to a "funny and outgoing young man" and doesn't want any other parents to go through the same ordeal with the heatwave set to last until the weekend."He had a very cheeky smile and the personality to match. He was very much loved by his friends and family, and will be missed dearly by many," he said.‌"We would like to raise awareness about children playing near any rivers or lakes in the hot weather. Please can all parents, friends and family make their children aware of the dangers surrounding water."A fire service has pin-pointed the dangers about swimming in open water following a surge in deaths in recent years.Following the death of a girl, who has not yet been named, at Kingsbury Water Park, Cllr George Finch, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “This is a heartbreaking incident, and my sincere condolences go out to the young girl’s loved ones. We know this will have a profound impact on the local community, and our thoughts are with everyone affected.”‌Robert Hulatt, the head of prevention at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, warned that people must not assume that because they can swim in a swimming pool, they can cope with the challenges of rivers, lakes, quarries and waterways - and says the "hidden dangers" make them perilous."Even on a warm day the temperature in open water can remain very cold, causing cold water shock, a physical reaction which can make it difficult to control breathing, cause panic and make it difficult to swim," the group commander said.Article continues below"We want everyone to enjoy themselves around water, but it's crucial to remember that water can be unpredictable and dangerous. By following some simple safety tips, we can significantly reduce the risk of drowning."An alarming study showed an increase in drowning among low-income and ethnically diverse children. Research pointing to a need for greater government involvement, with one in four children leaving school unable to swim.“It is essential that water safety education and experience for children should be taken forward regionally and nationally,” Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK, said last year. "There is a requirement to nationally revise and reform the current approach to swimming and water safety education.“We need to tackle the clear disparity for low-income and ethnically diverse children who are being missed by the current statutory efforts and are overrepresented in child-drowning deaths.”What to do if someone is struggling in waterCall 999 and ask for the fire service - they are best trained to deal with a rescueShout and encourage them to float on their back - let them know that help is on the wayFind a rescue aid such as a life ring, throw line or reach pole. If there is no public rescue aid equipment, throw anything that will floatDon't be tempted to go in. The water might be cold, which will limit your ability to swimBefore pulling someone out of the water, get down on one knee or lie down so you don't fall inKeep sight of the casualty to help the emergency services locate them more quickly