Swim with a buddy

Swimming with someone else is fun and means there is somebody to help you should you get into difficulty.

It’s always a good idea to tell somebody on shore where you are swimming and what time you plan to be back. They can then raise an alarm and ask for help if you are overdue back.

Know your swimming spot

If at a lifeguarded beach, swim between the red and yellow flags or ask lifeguards for advice about conditions on the day.
Check you can enter and exit the water safely
Hazards – tides move quickly and conditions can change rapidly.
What the tides are doing and how this may affect hazards
Learn how to spot a rip current

What to do if you get stuck in a rip current: –

Don’t try to swim against it. If you can stand, try to wade rather than swim. Next, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Raise your hand and shout for help.

Equipment for open water swimming

Wetsuit – will help to keep you warm and increase your buoyancy in the water.

Tow float – a tow float with internal storage means you can take a mobile phone in a waterproof case to call for help if needed. It will also help you to be seen in the water by other swimmers, water users and Search and Rescue.

Help – a mobile phone can be used to call for help. Also an ISO 12402-8 safety whistle can be used to attract attention or notify other water users of your location.

Incase of an emergency

call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

You should always carry a means of calling for help when open water swimming or cold water dipping. This could be a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Remember, if you don’t have any mobile phone signal, don’t panic. You can still try calling 999 or 112, even if your own mobile phone network has no coverage. Your phone will try to connect to any other network available.

For more information from the RNLI about open water safety click here

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