Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • News
  • Jobs in our industry
Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
My account RLSS UK Shop Find a course Donate
Menu
  • Find a Course
  • Your Account
    • Locations for RLSS UK Services
    • Guides, Tutorials & FAQs
    • Access Your RLSS UK Account
    • Webinar Wednesday
  • Water Safety
    • Water Safety Advice For You
    • Water Safety Advice For Your Business
    • Education Resources
    • Water Safety Toolkit
    • Industry Approved Aqua Parks
    • Water Smart Award
    • Open Water - Event Safety
    • Managing Safety
    • Beyond Swim
    • Local Water Safety Groups
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • RLSS UK's A-Z
    • Who Are We?
    • Who We Work With
      • Commercial Partners
      • Strategic Partners
      • Water Safety Partners
      • RLSS UK Advisors
      • Consultancy Projects
    • Job Opportunities
      • Our Jobs
      • Trustee Opportunities
      • External Jobs
      • Apprenticeships
      • #IStartedAsALifeguard
    • International Work
  • What We Do
    • Our Qualifications
      • All Qualifications
      • Become a Lifeguard
      • Become a First Aider
      • Become a Trainer
      • Become a Training Centre or Provider
        • Find out more
        • Regulated Qualifications and Compliance
      • Pool Management
      • Additional Qualifications
    • Our Awards
    • Our Shop
    • Our Membership
    • Our Clubs
    • Lifesaving Sport
    • Safeguarding
    • Consultancy Service
    • Meeting Room Hire
    • Safety Guidance
    • Renewal Information
  • Support Us
    • Fundraise
      • Fundraising Opportunities
      • Meet Our Fundraisers
    • Charity Lottery
    • Send an eCard
    • Our Appeals
    • How to donate
    • Support for Families
    • Leaving a Lifesaving legacy
      • Leave a gift in your will
      • 1891 Life Fellows
    • Our Campaigns
      • Drowning Prevention Week
      • Don't Drink and Drown
      • Lifesaver • Lifechanger
      • #BeaRookieLifeguard
      • #BeaLifeguard
      • #BeaLifesaver
      • Runners and Walkers
      • Spring Clean
      • Support a campaign
    • Become a Corporate Partner
    • Volunteer
    • In Memory Of
  • Events & Campaigns
    • All Events
    • Our Campaigns
      • Drowning Prevention Week
      • #DontDrinkandDrown
    • RLSS UK Events
      • View All
      • Speeds 2022
      • Open Water Festival 2022
      • Honours 2022
      • National Lifesaving Championships
      • Virtual Pool Lifesaving League
      • Lifesaving Sport Challenge
      • RLSS UK AGM 2022
    • RLSS UK Industry Courses
  • Latest
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • News
    • Blogs
    • #EVERYDAYHEROES
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Republic of Ireland
    • News
    • Jobs in our industry
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • open-water-safety-tips
  1. Home
  2. Open Water Safety Tips

Open Water Safety Tips

Around 85% of accidental drownings occur at open water sites. Many of these drownings occur due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of open water safety. The basic principles of open water safety, combined with knowledge and understanding of the hazards, can increase the enjoyment of open water and significantly reduce the number of incidents that occur each year.

The benefits of swimming and dipping in open water are well documented. Not only does being in or on open water allow new adventure it also has documented benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. All of these hazards can be controlled through proper organisation and planning. 

Risks to consider in open water include:

  • The shock of cold water can make swimming difficult and increase the difficulty in getting out of the water
  • Lack of safety equipment and increased difficulty for rescue
  • The height of the fall or jump if tombstoning
  • The depth of the water – this changes and is unpredictable
  • Underwater objects and hazards may not be visible
  • Obstacles or other people in the water
  • Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away
  • Uneven banks and river beds
  • Water quality, e.g. toxic algal blooms and industrial/agricultural pollution

Our #BePrepared hub has everything you need to enjoy open water safely.

Click here to take our free online water safety toolkit and understand basic self-survival and rescue

RLSS UK Open Water Festival 2022

RLSS UK Open Water Festival 2022

Registration is open for the RLSS UK's Open Water Festival 2022. Sunday 26 June at the Lenches Lake, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4UB. Read more

Published: 19th April, 2022

Author: Teri Youl

Festive Dips - How To Stay Safe And Deal With The Cold

Festive Dips - How To Stay Safe And Deal With The Cold

A favourite festive tradition is getting in the water over Christmas and New Year. Whether you’re an experienced festive dipper or giving it a go for the first time, check out these tips to stay safe. Read more

Published: 16th December, 2021

Updated: 27th January, 2022

Author: Jess Ackroyd

Sponge to Plunge

Sponge to Plunge

If you're considering open water swimming acclimatising to cold water is an important step in enjoying a safe swim. Read more

Published: 12th August, 2021

Updated: 1st March, 2022

Author: Kelly Key

Water Safety for SUP

Water Safety for SUP

Read our safety advice to enjoy stand up paddle boarding (SUP) safely Read more

Published: 14th April, 2021

Updated: 21st February, 2022

Author: Kelly Key

Open Water Swimming Safety

Open Water Swimming Safety

Read more

Published: 27th March, 2021

Updated: 8th July, 2021

Author: Kelly Key

Guidance for Teaching in Open Water

Guidance for Teaching in Open Water

The RLSS UK guidance notes for organising lifesaving and lifeguarding of open water training and assessment. Read more

Published: 25th March, 2021

Updated: 25th November, 2021

Author: Kelly Key

Cold Water Shock – The Facts and Science

Cold Water Shock – The Facts and Science

Read more

Published: 22nd March, 2021

Updated: 8th July, 2021

Author: Kelly Key

Open Water Safety Products

Open Water Safety Products

Read more

Published: 16th July, 2018

Author: Kelly Key

Back to top

Showing 10 of 8

Latest

  • National Lifesaving Championships: Entry

    National Lifesaving Championships: Entry

  • National Lifesaving Championships: Regional Heats

    National Lifesaving Championships: Regional Heats

  • Trainer Assessor Joshua secures volunteer role at Commonwealth Games

    Trainer Assessor Joshua secures volunteer role at Commonwealth Games

    RLSS UK Trainer Assessor Joshua Dovey has secured his role in the media team for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

  • National Lifesaving Championships: Important Documents

    National Lifesaving Championships: Important Documents

Most read

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    Become a Pool Lifeguard with the RLSS UK's National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) We have trained over 90,000 Lifeguards. Click here to find out more and book onto a course!

  • Activate or Create your RLSS UK Account (Powered by tahdah)

    Activate or Create your RLSS UK Account (Powered by tahdah)

    Find out how to log in to your RLSS UK Account (Powered by tahdah), view our how-to guides and all the latest FAQs.

  • Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Looking to find a course? This page will direct you to where you need to go.

  • Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us).

  • Rookie Lifeguard

    Rookie Lifeguard

    RLSS UK’s Rookie Lifeguard programme gives your child the skills they need to be confident in the pool and by the sea.

  • RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

    If you are looking to make an enquiry to the society, our customer service team will be able to help.

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches. The NVBLQ ensures that the qualified lifeguard has the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively across a range of beach environments.

  • National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    NRASTC is a supervision and rescue qualification for teachers working on the poolside or in the water during programmed activities, such as a swimming lesson.

  • How RLSS UK Certification Works

    How RLSS UK Certification Works

    How certification for our National Pool Lifeguard Course and all RLSS UK courses work.

Tag cloud

First Aid Membership Survive and Save

Our charity impact

Every day we give children the chance to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water, safely.

Find out more How do you want to help?

Popular

  • COVID-19 Support
  • Contact Us
  • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • RLSS UK Shop 
  • Your RLSS UK Account
  • Find my Certificate
  • Find a Course
  • Branches 
  • Clubs
  • Trainers & Centres
  • Safeguarding
  • Policies
  • GDPR
  • Drowning Prevention Week

Support us

  • RLSS UK Shop
  • Drowning prevention week
  • Charity lottery
  • Send an eCard
  • Our appeals
  • How to donate

Members

  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Policies
  • GDPR

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is a registered charity in England, Wales (1046060), and Scotland (SC037912). Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (3033781). Registered office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG Images and copyright © RLSS UK.

Manage Cookie Preferences