Illustration of two swimmers at a lake edge, one checking the leash on the other's orange tow float before getting in

Safety guides

The things to know before any swim, in any water: cold water shock, hypothermia, panic, and who to call if it goes wrong.

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The outdoor swimming safety checklist

9 min read

Safety

Lifeguards, flags and designated swim areas

What the RNLI's beach flags mean, why lifeguard hours matter, and how designated swim areas and session times at managed venues change the picture.

17 Sept 2026 5 min read

Safety

Who to call if it goes wrong

In the UK, call 999 or 112: the Coastguard at the coast, Fire and Rescue inland. What they'll ask, how to give your location, and what to do with no signal.

6 Aug 2026 4 min read

Safety

Panic in the water: the breathing that gets you back

Why panic hits in open water, in-for-three, out-for-six breathing, and how turning onto your back to float gives you time to get your breath back.

25 Jun 2026 5 min read

Safety

Hypothermia: the signs in yourself and the person next to you

How hypothermia shows up in open water swimmers, why you keep cooling after you get out, how to warm up properly, and when to call 999.

21 May 2026 5 min read

Safety

Cold water shock: what it is, and what to do in the first minute

What cold water does to your breathing and heart, why UK guidance draws the line at 15°C, how to float through the first minute, and how to get in gradually.

2 Apr 2026 5 min read