Jumping into cold water can kill you

The shock of jumping into cold water can kill you - it's as simple as that. So please think twice.

Cameron's story

There is also a Dying to be Cool: Cameron's Story - video transcript (PDF, 120 KB).

If you are having problems watching this video (for example if you're viewing from an Apple device) you can watch it directly on our YouTube channel.

Cameron Gosling was a 14-year-old pupil at Parkside Academy in Willington when he went swimming with his friends in the River Wear near Bishop Auckland.

While his friends paddled in the river and acclimatised their bodies, Cameron jumped in. The cold water shocked his body and, despite his friends trying to save him, Cameron drowned.

Make sure this doesn't happen to you

Cameron's friends and family want to spread the word about cold water shock to try and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else.

There is also a Dying to be Cool - Cyle Gosling - video transcript (PDF, 102 KB).

Cameron's friends

The friends of Cameron who were with him when he died have spoken about that day to raise awareness of the dangers of jumping into cold water without acclimatising.

What is cold water shock?

When you're suddenly immersed in cold water, your body reacts involuntarily.

It can cause blood vessels in your skin to close making it harder for blood to flow around the body. Your heart then has to work harder and your blood pressure increases. In the worst cases you could even have a heart attack. 

There's also a "gasp" response which means you could breathe in water. The rate you breathe can go up by as much as ten times.

All these reactions mean you can panic, get into difficulty and drown. Watch the video below for information.

Dangers of open water

There's more information about the dangers of open water and safety advice on the Stay safe in or near open water page.