Open Water Safety: What Every Family Should Know This Summer

With the school holidays here and temperatures rising, more families will be heading to rivers, lakes, quarries and the coast. As a Swim England Qualified Instructor, NUCO First Aid Instructor and former police detective, I've spent this week delivering water safety talks to primary schools across the Thames Valley. The core message is simple: open water is not a swimming pool, and knowing the difference can save a life. 

Why Is Open Water More Dangerous Than a Pool? 

 Open water lacks the controls of a pool. There are no lifeguards, no consistent depth, and no clear visibility. The main risks are: 

1. Cold water shock. Even on a hot day, water below the surface can be cold enough to trigger gasping and panic, overwhelming even strong swimmers. 

2. Hidden hazards. Submerged branches, debris and sudden drop-offs are invisible from the bank. 

3. Currents. Rivers and tidal water pull harder than they look. Calm on the surface doesn't mean safe underneath. 

4. No supervision. Most inland water in the UK is unsupervised, so help isn't seconds away. 

5. Faster exhaustion. Open water swimming burns far more energy than pool swimming. 

What Should You Do If You Fall In Unexpectedly? 

 Fight the urge to swim hard. That instinct is what leads to drowning. Instead, remember Float to Live: 

1. Lean back, ears down, and relax. 

2. Push your stomach up, extend your arms and legs. 

3. Let your legs sink if they need to. Everyone floats differently. 

4. Float until your breathing settles, then swim to safety or call for help. 

 Cold water shock usually passes in 60 to 90 seconds. Floating buys you that time, and it's teachable to children as young as seven. 

What Should You Do If You See Someone in Trouble? 

Don't get in the water yourself. That's how one person in difficulty becomes two. Instead, remember Call, Tell, Throw: 

1. Call 999. Ask for Fire and Rescue for inland water, or the Coastguard for coastal water. Share your exact location; what3words helps here. 

2. Tell them to float, not swim, if you can shout to them. 

3. Throw something that floats, such as a ring, bottle, bag or branch, rather than entering the water yourself. 

Even confident adult swimmers regularly drown attempting rescues, overwhelmed by cold or a panicking casualty. 

Are Parents Really Supervising Their Children at the Beach? 

 Too often, not closely enough. Watching your children means eyes on them, continuously, not sitting nearby with a phone in hand. Drowning is usually silent, with no splashing or shouting, and it can happen in the time it takes to read one message. 

 Golden rules 

1. One adult actively supervising at all times. Agree who, and for how long. 

2. Put the phone down, or hand over supervision first. 

3. Get in the water with young or inexperienced swimmers. Watching from the sand isn't close enough. 

4. Set a clear physical boundary, such as a flag, rock or landmark, before children get in. 

5. Do regular headcounts, not just when it's time to leave. 

This isn't about frightening anyone off a good day out. It's about the same principle behind everything I teach: a small amount of awareness prevents almost all of these incidents. 

Quick Holiday Checklist 

1. Supervise children near water at all times, even in shallow or familiar spots. 

2. Check warning flags and signs before entering the water. 

3. Acclimatise gradually rather than jumping straight in. 

4. Avoid alcohol around open water. It impairs judgement more than people realise. 

5. Don't assume a spot is the same as last time; rain, tides and debris change conditions. 

Why This Matters 

Most open water deaths in the UK happen to people who never intended to get wet. They slipped, were pulled in by a dog or ball, or tried to help someone else. Nearly all of these are preventable with the right knowledge and instinct. 

About the Author 

Georgina Bradley is the founder of GB Prestige Coaching & Training, offering private swim coaching, first aid training, and safeguarding and educational talks across Henley-on-Thames and the wider Thames Valley. A Swim England Qualified Instructor and NUCO First Aid Instructor with over 20 years of policing experience, including two High Sheriff's Awards for Outstanding Performance. Where Expertise Is Non-Negotiable. 

If your school, club or organisation would like a water safety or first aid talk this summer, get in touch to book a session.