Lifeguards warn of increased drowning risk as heatwave approaches

Portugal‘s lifeguards are calling on authorities to include drowning warnings in public heatwave alerts, warning that soaring temperatures in the coming days are likely to drive more people into the water and increase the risk of fatal accidents.

The Portuguese Lifesaving Federation (Fepons) says experience from elsewhere in Europe shows that periods of extreme heat prompt large numbers of people to seek relief at beaches, rivers, reservoirs, lakes and swimming pools, particularly in unsupervised locations where the danger of drowning is significantly higher.

The appeal comes as the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasts a prolonged spell of very hot and dry weather, with temperatures expected to reach up to 43ºC in parts of the country this week.

Fepons is therefore urging the public to choose supervised bathing areas whenever possible, avoid swimming in unfamiliar rivers or reservoirs and never enter the water alone.

The federation also stresses the importance of keeping children “always within an arm’s length”, avoiding diving into unknown waters and not consuming alcohol before or while swimming.

It warned that extreme heat itself should be regarded as a drowning risk factor, saying prevention begins before entering the water.

The federation pointed to France, where more than 50 people have reportedly died from drowning during the current heatwave, as an example of how prolonged periods of high temperatures can quickly translate into more water-related fatalities.

According to figures released earlier this month by Fepons, 57 people had drowned in Portugal by May 31, only one fewer than during the same period in 2024, which was the deadliest start to a year since the federation’s Drowning Observatory began collecting data in 2017.

IPMA has already issued weather warnings for several districts and expects temperatures between 40ºC and 43ºC across parts of the Tagus Valley and Alentejo from Wednesday, with the heat spreading to other regions later in the week.

Against that backdrop, Fepons says public safety messaging should go beyond advice on hydration and heat exhaustion to also remind people of the increased risk of drowning during periods of extreme heat.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.