The Outdoor Swimmer’s Code

Looking after the environment

• Leave no trace, taking all litter (yours and others) away with you.
• Be sensitive about numbers and the impacts on popular swim spots, and go elsewhere if it is busy.
• Be aware of fire risk and avoid starting a fire or causing damage with barbecues or cigarettes.
• Do not pick, uproot, damage or trample plants or trees, including waterweed which is important for invertebrates.
• Avoid removing rocks or disturbing land features, as important invertebrates can live under these.
• Be sensitive to bank side vegetation and avoid damaging banks when entering or exiting the water.
• Avoid disturbing livestock or wildlife, including animals, birds, fish and invertebrates.
• Keep your distance from wildlife, particularly from nesting birds in spring and summer.
• Keep clear of areas important for fish breeding and spawning, such as gravel shoals and riffles, especially between autumn and spring.
• Be especially careful in areas designated to protect nature. Research the place you are visiting, for example look up Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and nature reserves, ask people or wildlife or conservation organisations familiar with the local area, or if possible the landowner or site manager, to see what the protections are and what particular care to take.
• Be bio secure – CHECK, CLEAN, DRY: check swim gear for organisms after swimming, clean it well, and dry gear before swimming again  #spreadthewordnottheweed.
• There is more detail on respecting the environment in our Swimming Responsibly post.

Consideration for other people

• Be respectful to other water users and visitors, including anglers, boaters, paddlers, and share the water considerately.
• Be considerate and respectful of landowners and neighbouring properties, and try to find ways to help them with any impacts of swimmers and visitors.
• Be considerate of communities local to swim spots, and respect that they can be small and sometimes feel overrun by large numbers of swimmers.
• Be aware of the number of visitors and, if necessary, find somewhere else to reduce the pressure on popular swim spots.
• Where possible find alternative ways to travel to a swim spot than driving, or lift share.
• Always park sensitively – don’t block gates to fields, access to houses, or routes for emergency vehicles.
• Take away other people’s rubbish as well as your own, and never leave litter or food.
• Be as quiet as possible.
• Be considerate of others when changing or if considering skinny-dipping.
• Where possible, access the water by recognised paths. There can be different viewpoints on whether a swim is allowed, so research the location and keep any discussions polite. See Is it Legal for more info.
• Don’t damage walls or fences.
• Leave gates as you find them.
• If taking a dog along, make sure they do not disturb other people, wildlife or livestock, and keep them under close control or on a lead.
• Always follow the Countryside Code for England & Wales, or for Northern Ireland, or the Scottish Outdoor Code, and in Wales The Wild Swimming Code.

Swimming safely and responsibly

• Be responsible for your own safety.
• Be responsible for any children or other vulnerable people in your charge.
• Don’t endanger the safety of others, or seek to persuade them to do anything.
• Plan ahead and do research before going to swim. Seek advice from locals or local groups, research locations, weather, tides in advance, and be prepared for every eventuality.
• Make an assessment every time you swim. Consider what the risks might be and what you can do to avoid harm.
• Consider yourself – be aware of and stay within your own limitations.
• Consider the place – what are the risks, where are the get out points, what currents or tides do you need to consider, what is the depth of the water and are there any obstructions, are there boats so you would need to be visible?
• Consider the weather conditions on the day, including temperature, wind, rain, or hot weather.
• Consider swimming with another person – in the water on the bank – and agree a plan for if anything goes wrong. Or let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.
• Always Respect the Water – see RNLI advice on what to do.
• Know what to do in an emergency – call for help, call 999, ask for Coastguard at the sea or for Fire and Rescue service if inland. Don’t put yourself at risk trying to save a swimmer in difficulty. See advice from RLSS UK.

More Resources

See the Survive section of this website for information on swimming safety in all types of water bodies and conditions.

See the Swimming Without a Trace post for more detail on respecting the environment, and Winter Wildlife for Swimmers, too.

Join the discussions to get more access to places to swim responsibly in the Inland Access Group – Outdoor Swimming Society group on Facebook.

Read more about #RespectTheWater; the 2021 National Water Safety Forum lifesaving campaign.

We have contacted a wide range of environmental and land management organisations to seek suggestions and support for our work to promote responsible swimming. We welcome further comments and support; please get in touch

The following organisations have kindly given suggestions, positive feedback or indicated support for the Outdoor Swimmers Code:

Broads Authority

RoSPA