Why do Brits act like if you fall into a canal, you'll likely drown? UK canals are only waist-deep. Is it an inside joke?

British canals are about 3 to 4 feet deep.

In these videos you can see they can easily stand up. I don’t condone pushing people into canals, the water is filthy, but unless you’re unconscious (why or how would you be wandering into a canal while unconscious, anyway?) you aren’t going to drown, you’d just stand up. UK canals do not have currents to sweep you off your feet, the water is still and stagnant, so they’re basically like dirty paddling pools.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ADrtYu_zE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_RfR14yLM4

Are canals like the UK’s version of quicksand? The average person isn’t going to drown if they are conscious and fall into a paddling pool that’s only waist-deep.