SwimNE share their tips about how to stay safe while swimming in open water environments this summer.

1. SWIM SAFE
THIS
SUMMER
How to...
@SwimNE

2. Don't be a statistic; follow SwimNE's safety tips
before you take you take a dip this summer.
#SwimSafethisSummer
400Over 400 people drown in the UK every year.
S W I M N E

3. #1. STAY Together
S W I M N E

4. S W I M N E
Did you know that fish swim in groups called ‘schools' (or shoals)?
Every day is a school day - and we can learn a lot from our finned-
friends: They stick together in the water to protect themselves
from danger, and so should you.
Fun Fact !

5. T I P 1 S W I M N E
Staying close to your children while they are near and in the water is vital to
protect them from danger. Even if they’re confident in the pool, swimming in the
great outdoors is an entirely different kettle of fish: It’s deeper, colder, and not only
is it full of changeable currents but the seabed is totally unpredictable underfoot-
nothing like a swimming pool!
Stay vigilant, as well as together. Which leads us on to our next tip...
1.

6. #2. STAY Alert

7. S W I M N E
Seals spend most of their lives in the water. They therefore have
super-duper senses to keep them safe while they’re swimming:
Their whiskers are highly sensitive to movements and vibrations
and their eyesight and hearing are adapted for both the air and
the water - they're not just a cute face!
Fun Fact!

8. T I P 2 S W I M N E
2.
Of course, we don’t have whiskers, but we certainly DO have eyes and
ears. When swimming in open water environments, it is imperative that
we use both our eyes and our ears while we assess whether the water
is SAFE for us to enter. This will enable us to STAY ALERT to potential
dangers.
So, where do we begin when it comes to staying alert?
.

9. T I P 2 S W I M N E
.
Before you even arrive at the beach – SWOT UP! Thanks to modern
technology, you can even use your smartphone and do as much
research as possible about the beach before your visit: How do the
reviews sound? Is the area child-friendly? Are there any obvious
hazards you should know about?

10. T I P 2 S W I M N E
When you arrive at the beach, confirm that any information you’ve
read is correct. Every beach has safety information boards - find
yours. Learn about what types of flags and signs to look out for and
what each one of them means.
Most importantly SHARE this information; we’d recommend spending
some time with your kids to go through what each sign and flag means
– you could even make it fun with a quick quiz to test their knowledge
and a prize!

11. T I P 2 S W I M N E
.
In anticipation of you entering the water, SURVEY the area and ask
yourself the following: Are there lifeguards on duty? Is there a
clear way to get out of the water if you were in danger?
If you're unsure, just remember: You wouldn’t go into an unattended
swimming pool with no easy way to exit; open water environments
are no different.
Staying alert summary:
Swot up, Share information, Survey the area

12. #3. STAY cool

13. S W I M N E
3.
Staying safe while you’re at the beach isn’t just about respecting
the water – it’s also about protecting yourself from health risks,
such as sunburn, sunstroke, heat exhaustion and cold water shock.
Developing any of these can truly make your holiday unbearable
and can even be life-threatening. So, before you hit the sand,
remember the following five S’s of staying COOL and practicing
sun safety:
TIP 3

14. S W I M N E
Slap on that sunscreen:
Make sure it’s a high factor - and we’re talking a 30 plus
minimum for adults and 50 for kids. This will guarantee
complete protection.
TIP 3

15. S W I M N E
Seek out the shade:
Remember that the hottest time of the day is between 11am-
3pm, so it’s important to keep out of the sun at this time.
TIP 3

16. S W I M N E
Shield your eyes with your sunglasses:
Always wear your sunnies when you're in the sun to prevent UV
damage to your eyes.
TIP 3

17. S W I M N E
Don’t forget your sunhat:
Many people forget that the parting of their hair is very
susceptible to sunburn and is especially sensitive with children -
so don't forget that sunhat! The wider the rim of your sunhat the
better, in order to shade your face and your neck.
TIP 3

18. S W I M N E
Grab a shawl for your shoulders:
Covering your shoulders is super important as they’re so easily
burnt by the sun. Make sure you apply generous amounts of sun
cream to this area, and keep them covered up with either a
shawl or a t-shirt.
TIP 3

19. S W I M N E
Remember, while it's important to STAY cool while you're on the beach, it's also important
you do this the safe way. Jumping into the water or encouraging your kids to jump into
the water in an attempt to stay cool may seem like a quick solution. However, this IS NOT
safe and can bring on cold water shock.
Cold water shock can cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy
people. Jumping into cold water causes you to gasp for breath, making it difficult to
regain steady breathing. This creates a feeling of panic, and panic breathes taken while
in the water increases the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs.
TIP 3
COLD WATER SHOCK

20. S W I M N E
To prevent cold water shock:
Fight your urge to swim straight away
Relax and float on your back to catch your breath
The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute
TIP 3

21. #4. STAY Current

22. S W I M N E
Tynemouth's Longsands beach has been a popular visitor
destination for more than 150 years.
Fun Fact!

23. T I P 4 S W I M N E
4.
Sure, it’s great to be in the know about the history of our local beaches –
but are you also staying current? By this we mean, is your knowledge of
what to you can expect from open water environments up-to-date?
Firstly, it’s imperative that you understand the sea and respect the water so
that you can spot the dangers. This means updating your knowledge of open
water environments at all times. For example, do you know what a rip
current is? Did you know that rip currents are a major cause of accidental
drowning?

24. S W I M N E
What are they?
• Powerfully strong currents that can drag unsuspecting swimmers out into deeper
water
How can you spot them?
• Rip currents are difficult to spot – this makes them all the more dangerous
• Rip currents can be identified by choppy, churning water on the sea’s surface
• Look out for red and yellow flags – these flags indicate the safest areas to swim
• If in doubt, always ask a lifeguard!
RIP CURRENTS

25. S W I M N E
What to do if you get caught in a rip current?
• Don’t swim against the current, instead swim sideways, parallel to the beach
• If you can stand, try to wade in the water as opposed to swimming in it
• Raise your hands and shout for help

26. S W I M N E
• Tides can come in quicker than might think! This is why it is imperative to check the
tide timetable before you visit to the beach to avoid tidal cut-off
• Did you know that a significant number of RNLI rescues each year are down to
beach visitors getting cut-off by the tide?
TIDES

27. S W I M N E
What to do to avoid tidal cut-off:
• Don't chance it! Before you head out, check the tide timetables
• While you’re out, be aware of your surroundings and the tide’s direction
.Wear a watch, or make sure you're keeping track of the time by using your phone
TIP 4

28. S W I M N E
Quick Quiz!
Let's SEA what you've learnt...
1. What are the five S's of staying cool at the beach?
2. How many people drown in the UK every year?
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3. True or False: You should always enter the water
alone
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4. What are rip currents?
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5. How do you prevent cold water shock?
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