The volunteer lifeboat crew at the Teddington Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station was called out seven times in seven days during the week commencing July 6, its busiest week so far in 2026.

The requests came from HM London Coastguard and all of the call outs or 'shouts' were safely resolved with volunteer crews launching one lifeboat, in all but one incident where both D class lifeboats were launched.

Not all incidents were related to the current heatwave. However, Teddington RNLI says, they highlight the need for caution when on or near the river and the risks around diving or swimming.

Matt Allchurch, Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: "This stretch of the Thames is well used which also means a large amount of debris on the riverbed, this is dangerous to those jumping into relatively shallow water.

"Currently at low tide there is only around 2.5 metres of water under Teddington Foot Bridge.

"Even though the air temperature is very warm, water temperatures are still cold, so cold that water shock remains a very real risk, eventually preventing you from being able to swim.

"If you are going to swim in the river, go with others, enter the water slowly, make sure you are visible and swim parallel to the bank. Always take a charged phone with you in a waterproof pouch. If you get into trouble, float on your back and call for help."

The lifesaving charity is appealing to people to share its safety advice with family and friends, particularly young people and teens, who accounted for the majority of the 12 drowning fatalities during the last heatwave.

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If you see someone in trouble in the water dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.