Stay safe when open water swimming

We have received the advice below from Steve Billett, Water Safety Officer at RNLI Lymington regarding open water swimming:

The RNLI is reaching out to water safety groups and the open water swimming & dipping community to they have launched a short video featuring top tips on cold water dipping.

This year the RNLI have seen a huge increase in Open Water Swimmers & Cold Water Dippers across the UK and Ireland. Lifeboat crews have seen a 14% increase in call outs to swimmers in 2020 compared with 2019, whilst the coastguard has seen a 52% increase in swimming incidents in the last 4 months. The National Open Water Coaching Association (NOWCA) have also reported a 323% rise in swimmers as of October 2020. 

Whilst taking part in both activities has become even more popular this year with the health benefits championed by many, this does not reduce the risks, especially during the winter season, where the water temperature in the UK and Irish waters is on average 12°C or less and with rivers even colder, this makes all waters cold enough the cause cold water shock.

In response to this spike of interest in Open Water Swimming, the RNLI Water Safety Team have put together a video of top tips aimed at Cold Water Dippers, those who are bobbing around in the water for a short period of time. 

The RNLI are reminding people to: 

Be prepared – Choose your spot, go with a buddy, have the right equipment, check the whether and tides.

Always be seen

Acclimatise slowly 

Stay within your depths 

Float to live 

Call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard in an emergency 

Included are links for our informative YouTube video as well as links to our social media posts with general top tips for cold water dipping. 

YouTube: click here

Twitter: click here

We are also developing further guidance at those who take part in longer distanced swims. The RNLI acknowledges that they are two difference target audiences, and we want to ensure we share safety messaging to all those taking part in wild swim activities. 

For more water safety information please visit RNLI.Org/Safety and Open Water Swimming. 

You can also click here  for an Open Water Swimming article which provides some top safety tips for open water swimmers. 

We are very grateful for your support and would really appreciate your help in sharing these important swimming safety messages to the wider community. 

Any questions please get in touch. 

Happy and safe swimming! 

Steve Billett

Water Safety Officer 

RNLI Lymington