Fire And Rescue Warns Of Dangers Of Open Water Swimming After Tragic Accident In The UK

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Open water swimming with Amnis Stream: Photo Courtesy: Rob Carter

With lockdown measures easing and temperatures soaring in Great Britain, people have been flocking to the coast and to rivers to swim with at least one tragic accident leading West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to warn of the “devastating consequences” of open water swimming.

Lewis Howlett was a 25-year-old English teacher from Leeds, west Yorkshire, who went missing in the River Aire on Saturday evening.

His friends raised the alarm and Howlett’s body was found in the early hours of Sunday morning. A tragedy with the young teacher described as “an absolute rising star” by Chris Stokes, principal of The Farnley Academy, where Howlett worked.

In another incident in the same area, a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming in a reservoir.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service district commander Andy Farrell warned of the dangers of open water swimming, including the currents and cold water shock.

He said:

“With the recent good weather it’s tempting to go for a swim in rivers, lakes or reservoirs but you can quickly get into trouble with devastating consequences.”

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Photo Courtesy: RLSS Twitter

According to the Royal Lifesaving Society UK, around 700 people drown each year in Britain and Ireland while many have non-fatal experiences albeit some of them life-changing.

The RLSS have issued a water safety guide for open water swimming.

This includes advice on:

  • Temperature: the water is colder than in a pool and one option is to buy a wetsuit which also aids with buoyancy and allows swimmers to use their natural stroke unhindered
  • There are dedicated venues with lifeguards
  • If you do not visit a dedicated venue, then ensure you swim with a buddy and that people know what time to expect you back. Plan your swim before you leave and take into account currents and tides. When trying to find a location to swim it’s a good idea to find other open water swimmers from the area, there are a multitude of Facebook groups as well as social groups and swimming clubs across the country. Local knowledge is so important while trying to find a good safe swim spot and you may find some fellow swimmers to tag along with.
  • Enter the water slowly and let your body acclimatise, getting into cooler water too quickly can result in reduced blood flow to your limbs and an automatic increase in your breathing rate. Jumping in might seem like fun but you risk cold water shock and hitting objects under the surface by not getting in gradually.
  • Being visible is very important in open water when there are other water users. A brightly coloured hat is essential, and an inflatable tow float pulled behind you on a short leash gives a clear signal that there is a swimmer in the water. The tow float also has the added advantage of taking your weight if you need to rest during your swim.
  • Always start with short swims and increase the length of your swims over time as you become more experienced and tolerant of the conditions.
  • You should end your swim if you start to get cold or you feel yourself tiring, both signs that your core temperature could be dropping. Make sure you have some warm clothes waiting for you on shore as you will get colder once you exit the water as blood returns to your cooler extremities. A hot drink at the end of a swim is a great idea but avoid alcohol as this will cause you to lose heat.

There are several hidden dangers when it comes to open water swimming including currents, submerged debris and pollutants.

Even experienced open water swimmers can struggle – for instance, when cramp comes on as a result of dehydration, so having a buddy around is imperative should you get into difficulties.

So too is the time of day important: fading light is accompanied by a drop in temperatures and can lead to people being disorientated.

Claire Huggins of the RLSS urged swimmers to use caution, saying:

“At this time of year and with this type of weather it is really tempting to go for a swim.

“People are looking for places to cool off and that is understandable, we just urge people to take precautions.”

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