A record-breaking adventurer from North Yorkshire is supporting a new campaign aimed at preventing more tragedies in the county’s rivers this summer.

Jasmine Harrison is fronting the campaign to help prevent more water-related deaths by helping to raise awareness of the dangers of open water.

Jasmine, who is from Thirsk, holds two world records and achieved global recognition when she became the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean five years ago at the age of 21.

The following year she was the first woman to swim the full length of the British Isles, from Land’s End to John O'Groats.

Jasmine, now aged 27, embarked on an attempt to sail solo around the world in December 2024 before completing the challenge in March this year.

Ahead of her latest challenge to swim the English Channel in July, she is fronting the campaign to raise awareness of the risks that cannot be seen when entering open water.

She said: “This campaign is so important to highlight the risks of open water, particularly rivers, as people simply aren’t aware of the hidden dangers.

“These might be submerged rocks, strong currents you can’t see on the surface, deep pools or sudden changes in the water depth under your feet. In a second, you can go from hip-high in the water to not being able to touch the floor and getting into trouble.

“Even as an extremely experienced swimmer, I take a lot of precautions before I enter any water. I always have a tow float, take time to understand the risk of each setting before going into the water and I am well-prepared with a plan and support.

“If I can help to prevent more tragedies by sharing these simple hidden danger messages, it will be up there with my proudest achievements.”

While anyone can get into difficulty in open water, the safety campaign is being specifically targeted at young people.

The campaign is promoting the Float to Live principles if someone ends up struggling in open water.

The key safety advice for anyone in danger in the water is to tilt their head back, spread their arms and legs and relax while controlling their breathing.

If someone else is in trouble, do not enter the water and instead follow the ‘call, tell, throw’ principle - call 999, tell them to float and throw something that can help them stay afloat.

The campaign is also aimed at raising awareness of cold-water shock which can have devastating effects.

The effects of suddenly entering cold water can lead to the body’s involuntary and potentially life-threatening response with rapid breathing, increased heart rate and loss of muscular control.

The campaign is supported by us and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and follows the introduction of warning signs at Richmond Falls in July.

The series of waterfalls has been the location of a number of incidents, including the death of a 12-year-old boy who drowned there in August last year.

There have been a number of deaths nationally linked to water during the hot weather this year, with at least 19 water-related deaths during the heatwave that arrived towards the end of May. This included a 13-year-old girl who died while in the River Wharfe near Burnsall in North Yorkshire.