Water safety
Simple rules that keep swimmers of every age safe — at the pool and in open water.
Most drownings are preventable. The advice below follows the Royal Life Saving Society UK and Swim England.
At the pool
- Follow the lifeguard and posted depth signs — never dive into shallow water.
- Keep under-8s within arm’s reach at all times.
- Shower before you swim and don’t swim if you feel unwell.
Open water
- Enter slowly — cold water shock is the biggest risk, even in summer.
- Swim parallel to the shore and never alone.
- Check the latest bathing-water classification before you go.
If someone is in trouble
Call 999 (ask for the coastguard at the coast). Throw something that floats — don’t go in after them.