How to Stay Safe Swimming Outdoors – and Still Have Fun
How to stay safe swimming outdoors – As summer temperatures climb, outdoor swimming becomes an enticing, cost-effective activity. However, the National Water Safety Forum reports that 202 individuals lost their lives in accidental water incidents in 2025 alone. During the previous month’s heatwave, at least 18 people faced fatal consequences after encountering trouble in open water, including several teenagers.
Supervision Matters
Experts emphasize that safety in open water begins with a key recommendation: always choose a location where supervision is available. The RNLI provides a list of UK beaches with lifeguards, while Swim England maintains records for other open water sites. Steve Hall, a volunteer with Hornsea Rescue for nine years, highlights that many preventable risks occur in less monitored areas like rivers and reservoirs.
“It’s really difficult to know what’s going on beneath the surface,” says Becky Hickman, CEO of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. “There could be fast-flowing currents, sharp rocks, debris, sudden drop-offs, or even heavy machinery in reservoirs or canals.”
Hall and his daughters, both strong swimmers, opt for lifeguarded beaches or designated wild swimming zones over inland water bodies. He notes that even with favorable weather, dangers like rip currents can arise. These powerful flows can rapidly carry swimmers away from shore, as seen in incidents where families were just 30 yards from the beach but couldn’t return.
Spotting the Signs
Rip currents are often hard to detect but can be identified by churning, choppy water on the surface, according to the RNLI. Hall suggests families watch educational videos to recognize these hazards. To escape a rip current, the RNLI advises swimmers to move parallel to the shore rather than directly against the flow.
“A rip current can quickly pull you away from shore,” Hall explains. “It doesn’t need to carry you far—it just needs to take you out of your depth.”
Sarah Pennicard from the RNLI’s water safety team reminds swimmers that natural bodies of water differ significantly from pools. They are colder, more dynamic, and less predictable. Even strong swimmers should ensure they are physically prepared, as Dave Oakley-Jenner of North Cumbria Search and Rescue advises against entering water after consuming alcohol, medications, or large meals.
Preparation and Caution
Before entering any water, assess your own abilities. Hall stresses the importance of having a phone accessible for emergencies. “Never go swimming alone,” he adds. “Someone on the shore should always be ready to assist.”
“Make sure everyone in your group knows the name of the beach or body of water you’re at,” Hall says. “Inflatables are not for the seaside—they’re for pools. If the wind changes, you can be blown out to sea really quickly.”
Should this happen and you’re unsure of your ability to return, staying on an inflatable can make you more visible to rescuers. Hall explains that these devices are easier to spot than a person in the water, which can resemble searching for a needle in a haystack. Hickman also warns that UK waters often stay below 15C, making cold water shock a real risk. Entering too quickly can cause breathing difficulties and loss of movement. To mitigate this, she recommends gradually acclimatizing to the temperature, using a mantra like “ankles, hips and nips” to guide the process.
Practicing floating in controlled environments, such as pools, can help prepare for emergencies. Pennicard advises keeping your head back, ears in the water, and breathing steady before taking action. Jake Butt, lead lifeb
