The first Briton to complete a gruelling challenge to swim the toughest seven oceans swims in the world has become an ambassador for the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the drowning prevention charity.

Open water champion, Adam Walker is keen to work with the charity to help others stay safe while enjoying open water and encourage the activity in supervised environments.

The ‘Ocean Walker’ knows all about the potential dangers involved after swimming across seven of the world’s oceans, a feat known as the ‘Oceans 7’ challenge.

The 36-year-old began his adventure in 2008 when he swam the English Channel.

Since then he has crossed seas in Hawaii, New Zealand, the USA, Japan and Gibraltar.

Along the way he has been stung by jellyfish and a Portuguese Man O’ War, swum with dolphins and come face to face with sharks.

The last leg of his journey involved a 21 mile swim from Northern Ireland to the west coast of Scotland which he successfully completed on August 14.

Adam is a swim coach and motivational speaker from Nottinghamshire, he has also completed his RLSS UK Bronze Medallion and Pool Lifeguard qualification in the past.

He said: “I am very excited to have become the first British person in history to complete the Oceans 7 Challenge.

“Throughout all my swims, safety was always of paramount importance, I would not have achieved what I have without the right knowledge and safety measurements in place. This is why I love what the Royal Life Saving Society UK stands for.

“It’s a privilege to become an ambassador and I am very excited to work alongside this important charity. My aim is to encourage open water swimming for juniors and adults in a safe environment.

“The sport is such an important life skill and there are so many benefits from fitness to the exhilaration of being at one with nature.”

Open water swimming is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports but it can be dangerous if you are not prepared.

Around 85 per cent of all accidental drownings occur at open water sites.

RLSS UK’s Director of Volunteers and Community Education and Special Projects said: “We are honoured that Adam has agreed to become an ambassador for us. What he has achieved is inspirational.

“Open water swimming is a growing sport which is fantastic but want people to know how to do it safely.

“Adam is the perfect person to get that message across and we look forward to working closely with him.”

Open Water Safety Tips

• Join an open water or lifesaving club or enrol in open water swimming classes
• Remember the conditions at open water sites change constantly
• Only ever enter the water in areas with adequate supervision and rescue cover
• Always look for warning and guidance signs
• Swim parallel with the shore, not away from it
• Avoid drifting in the currents
• Do not enter fast flowing water
• Be aware of underwater hazards
• Get out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold
• Never enter the water after consuming alcohol
• Always wear a buoyancy aid or life-jacket for activities on the water or at the water’s edge (such as when boating or fishing)
• If you want to swim wear a wetsuit if you have one.
• Always take someone with you when you go into or near water. If something goes wrong they will be able to get help
• If someone is in difficulty in the water shout reassurance to them and shout for help and call the emergency services (call 999 or 112)
• Without endangering yourself see if you can reach out to them with a stick, pole or item of clothing – lie down to ensure you stay secure. Alternatively throw something buoyant to them such as a ring buoy or anything that will float.