I have been swimming outdoors through all … Conditions can change in the blink of an eye and can catch out even the most experienced ocean swimmer. Safely Enjoy Your Parks Exploring ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes national parks can be exhilarating, but it can also be dangerous. Open water swimming buoy. Check local beach forecasts before you head to the beach, and always swim near lifeguards. Don't overestimate your swimming ability, especially early in the summer when the water is cold. Check out our open water swimming safety leaflet (2.88MB PDF). Never swim alone - use the buddy system. On average, there are 50 to 70 shark … The Swimming Safety Information map provides information on coastal beach advisories, coastal beach report card grades, impaired waters for swimming, and beach improvement projects by county. OCEAN SAFETY. Swimming in open water can be dangerous. Whether you are boating, paddling, surfing, swimming, or otherwise immersing yourself in the water, safety is just as important as having fun. Sharks are often what people fear when it comes to ocean safety, but they actually pose a small risk factor to swimmers. Swimming Safety Advice . Rip currents account for 80% of beach rescues, and can be dangerous or deadly if you don't know what to do. Learn more pool safety tips. Speaking of safety and bright stuff, when swimming solo you should always have a tow buoy behind you. Be aware of situations that are unique to open water, such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow. If lifeguards give you directions or instructions from the stand, obey them. Safety Tips for Open Water Swimming. The best time for sea swimming is on or before the high tide. Open water swim buoys come in super bright colors (highlighter yellow, for instance), are super light (you barely notice it behind you), and help boaters, lifeguards and other swimmers keep sight of you. Not all beaches along the California coastline are recommended for swimming or wading. If you’re swimming in the sea, make sure you check out the tides before planning your training time. Open water swimming is allowed as long as social distancing is observed at all times (including changing, which means you can’t ask for help with a wetsuit!). Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Wear a bright coloured swim hat and take a tow float. Be seen. But just because we're having fun, doesn't mean we can forget about safety. The very things that make these areas such spectacular places to look at and enjoy can be lethal to those caught unaware along the shoreline. The ocean is a hazardous environment at any time and ocean swimmers must always respect it. Safety guidance from Swim England, RLSS UK and British Triathlon specific to the COVID-19 crisis is available here. If you are aware of and manage the risks, though, you will have many successful open water adventures. Check with the lifeguard on surf conditions before swimming. Here are 10 essential guidelines to help you do just that. Tips for Swimming in Open Water. Know before you go. They can advise you on where to swim, guide you around hazards, and be your safety net if things go sideways. It's simple stuff, but we can't take it for granted. Stay within your depths. As the water temperature begins to cool, many swimmers are deciding to swim outdoors longer into the autumn and venues up and down the country are extending their seasons to accommodate this new surge in cold water swimmers. If you mess this up, the best case is you turn up and there is no water! Float to live. 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