Dorset's fire service is joining forces with those across the UK in supporting the Chief Fire Officers Association’s Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week 2015.

The campaign is focusing on raising awareness of cold water shock, which causes a number of fatalities every year as young people – even those who are strong swimmers – aren’t aware of the effect that it can have on their ability to swim in open water.

Even on a warm day, the temperature of the water in the sea, a reservoir, quarry or lake can remain very cold and the shock of cold water creates a physical response that can make it more difficult to swim, and can even cause death.

Crews from Dorset Fire and Rescue will be supporting Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week, which runs until Sunday, by undertaking a joint exercise in Weymouth Harbour with teams from the RNLI.

Weymouth’s Technical Rescue team will enter the harbour water today to simulate rescuing a casualty and providing first aid.

The RNLI will then ensure the casualty and the team are returned to the harbour side safely.

District Commander for Weymouth and Portland, station manager Simon Dennett said: “Drowning Prevention week gives Dorset Fire and Rescue the opportunity to raise awareness of this aspect of our work, educating members of the public and young people about the dangers of water in and around the Dorset coast. Our exercise with the RNLI is part of a schedule of regular training that our technical rescue teams undertake to ensure their skills are kept up to date.”

CFOA’s Water Safety lead, Dawn Whittaker, said: “While reservoirs, lakes, rivers and other inland water may look safe and inviting, particularly on a warm day, there are hidden dangers below the surface that could make you ill, hurt you, and – at worst – could kill you.

“Cold water shock is a physical response that can not only affect your breathing, but will reduce your muscle ability and can even lead to a heart attack.

"Moving water, such as rivers, may look calm but may have strong currents below the surface which can carry even strong swimmers into danger.

"And, of course, from out of the water, or above, you may not be able to see dangerous obstructions such as large rocks or dead branches that can cause you injury."

The water safety messages that the fire and rescue service will be delivering will, it is hoped, also raise awareness of and support for the campaigns that the RLSS, RNLI and ASA will be running later in 2015 – the RLSS’ Drowning Prevention Week from June 20-28 and the RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign in July and the joint RNLI/ASA Swim Safe swimming lessons and beach safety advice ‘roadshow’ in July and August.