‘Wild swimming is more dangerous than swimming in a life-guarded indoor pool,’ says Rob Fryer from the River and Lakes Swimming Association, ‘but it is only reckless if undertaken recklessly. There are many more hazards in the wild. You need to be aware of them. Awareness of the risks involved will help you to reduce your exposure to them. You could think of it as carrying out your own personal risk assessment. Here we intend to help you do this.’
Note the authors and contributors to this site cannot be held responsible for any injury, death or loss of swimmers, even if the tips on this site are found to be incorrect.
For further safety advice see the River and Lake Swimming Association (RALSA) who campaign about safety and access.
Rivers in the UK are cleaner than they've been for 150 years, and the environment agency can give you a rating for the stretch near you. See www.environment-agency.gov.uk for the contact in your area.
Ratings for cleanliness go from A (the only water likely to reach this standard is on the top of places like Dartmoor and Snowdon), through B and C (biologically and chemically pretty pure - there is low risk of stomach upsets and other infections), right down to D and E. Swimming in D and E is not recommended.
Do not swim where there are floating blooms of blue green algae which can spring up rapidly at this time of year, especially during low water. Swimming in algae can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions.
The risk of contacting Weill's disease is small but cover cuts with waterproof dressings, and if flu-like symptoms develop within 1-3 weeks see your doctor.
The safest policy is to swim where other people swim. How do you find out? Ask around. There are a wealth of amateur bloggers on the net and in person 'ask any local lads hanging around, they're generally the ones that know' says Rob Fryer from the RALSA (he has found out from cataloguing swims all over the country). Be wary of river currents and always work out a shallow stretch or exit point ahead where you can get out.
Always swim with somebody - either in the water, or watching you from the shore. 'In lakes do not swim further than 100 metres from shore without a boat or canoe accompanying you,' says Simon Murie.
Never swim in reservoirs. They're too deep, too cold and too big which makes it easy to get into trouble. Automatic suction systems can draw you down and steep banks can make it hard to get out. Don't get in!
If you can see the bottom, don't jump, it's too shallow. If you can't, don't jump - there could be anything underneath. Basically: step in.
Go in sober, swim with someone else, wear a bright coloured hats so boats can see you, don't push your time in cold water if you're unused to it and always take warm clothes to put on afterwards (yes, even in summer - it's amazing how fast you get cold).
'Wetsuits add buoyancy and warmth which makes them a good safety measure in places you don't know,' says Yacov Lev from the RALSA. While lakes are warm, tarns are around 10 degrees - for acclimatised swimmers and those with wetsuits only. Check out those available at Wetsuithire - £50 for the season, with the option to buy if you like the suit.
The most important thing for outdoor swimmers is to swim within their capacity, both temperature wise and in terms of swimming. If you're not a good swimmer get lessons (try www.swimtrek.com for open water ones specifically). Always stay within your depth where you are unsure of the territory.
Is it legal?
It's legal to swim in any 'navigable' waters: so if there are boats on it you should be alright.
READ THIS!! http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/safety2.htm
THIS IS ESSENTIAL NOT OPTIONAL INFORMATION!!
We would have written this section ourselves but we couldn’t do it better – and we do’t have the same brilliant hazard signs. All outdoor swimmers should read this safety advice before taking the plunge.