Being Safe Around Water
Entering any body of water, whether it’s a swimming pool, a river, a lake or the sea, always carries a risk, even for the best swimmers. If you can’t swim, or you’re not a very strong swimmer, the risks can be huge.
Cold water shock and underwater hazards have claimed many lives over the years.
According to the Royal Life Saving Society, around 85% of all accidental drownings occur at open water sites and many of these occur due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of open water safety.
Even if you’re a strong swimmer, you should think twice before entering open water and you should never swim in open water on your own - this includes the sea, if you’re heading to the coast on holiday.
It’s much safer to swim in a pool or lido, where there is proper supervision.
You’ll find lots of tips and advice on what to think about before entering water and what to do if you get into trouble on the Royal Life Saving Society website.