Water Safety Water Safety Advice for Anglers In the last 5 years, 41 anglers have lost their lives to accidental drowning in the UK. Make sure you follow our advice to help you and others stay safe whilst angling.* Stop and Think When you arrive at your chosen location, take a moment to stop and think. Assess the area and choose a safe position that provides a good footing. Be aware of local water hazards such as weirs, strong currents, slippery or undercut banks etc. Always wear a floatation vest and nonslip shoes or boots. Avoid wellington boots or waders, as if flooded, they make it very difficult to move and can be a significant hazard. Stay Together Never go angling unaccompanied. Staying together means there’s someone who can raise the alarm if either of you get into danger. In an emergency Call 999 Take a fully charged mobile phone, ideally in a waterproof holder. If you see somebody in trouble in the water, don't enter the water to rescue - call 999. Ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. Float If you fall into the water, stay calm, float on your back and call for help. If you see someone in trouble in the water, don't enter the water to rescue – throw something in that floats to help them. Ideally, take a throw line with you and practice how to use it. Consider learning basic lifesaving skills, such as CPR. *source: WAID (2018-2022). Based on the WAter Incident Database (WAID) statistics over a five-year period (2018-2022) In the last 5 years, 41 people in the UK accidentally lost their life to drowning whilst angling. 68% of these accidental fatalities occurred inland, 32% at the coast. 49% of accidental fatalities of those angling, occurred on a Saturday or Sunday. In 98% of cases, the person unexpectedly fell or was swept into the water. 98% of those that lost their lives were male. Read about our Strategic Partnership with The Angling Trust If you want to learn how to stay safe near water when angling, take a look at The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s National Water Safety Management Programme National Water Safety Management Programme Manage Cookie Preferences