How to Stay Safe When Wild Swimming
Words by Max Campbell
In my days as a Beach Lifeguard, pulling inexperienced swimmers out of the water almost became routine. By constantly being at the beach, we familiarised all the dangers of the coastal environment; rip currents, rising tides, dangerous shore breaks and weever fish. As a wild swimmer, it’s likely that you’ll encounter some, if not all of these dangers at some point.
Our goal is to provide a resource, where you can educate yourself on the dangers that are present in Cornish waters, and ultimately enjoy the ocean in a safe, responsible way. It’s a richness that we all can use, something I’m confident can add value to anyone’s life. As much as we promote the benefits that come with cold seawater, we want to raise awareness of the associated dangers. Here is a brief overview of the main dangers of swimming in the sea in Cornwall. For more comprehensive information, check out the safety page on our website.
If you’re a beginner, and want to gain experience in the water, then visit our groups page, and find an open water swimming group near you. Open water swimming groups are great for building confidence in a safe and controlled way.
Open Water Swimming Classes are a great way to build confidence in the water
Our key safety guidelines are;
Don’t swim alone, and if you do, tell someone where you’re going;
If you’re a beginner, visit lifeguarded beaches and stay within your depth;
Bring plenty of warm clothes to change back into;
Consider the surf, tides, currents and entry and exit points before getting in the water;
Never swim if you’re intoxicated;
Always stay visible;
Check for pollution, or dangerous marine animals (jelly fish);
Familiarise yourself with the procedures you need to take in an emergency;
Surf
Breaking waves are arguably the biggest danger to any inexperienced swimmer. Every year in Cornwall, there are several fatalities as a result of unforgiving rip currents, which result from breaking waves. As the surf surges towards the beach, there is a ‘pile up’ of water in the shallows. Due to gravity, the water is forced to flow back out to sea, and as a result, a strong, river-like flow runs perpendicular to the shoreline. Find out more about rip currents, and how to spot them, in our rip current blog.
Generally, the flatter the surface of the water, the better it is for swimming. It’s a good idea to avoid any swell when planning a swim. You can check the surf forecast at Magicseaweed.com, or frequent a sheltered cove or river that isn’t exposed to open ocean swell.
Tidepools offer excellent protection from breaking waves
Tides
There are two dangers that come with the propagation of tides. One is a result of the rising and falling of sea level, and the other is due to the tidal currents that arise from the massive movements of water.
The tides cause a rise and fall in sea level, with two high waters and two low waters each day. It’s easy to swim at a secluded section of the beach during low water, only to find your path blocked by the rising tide.
The tides also result in currents, which can be particularly pronounced around headlands, in narrow channels or in rivers. These currents are particularly strong at ‘mid-tide’, the mid-point between high and low water. Find out more about tides, including what causes them and how to forecast them in our tides blog.
Temperature
At some point, we all feel the chill that comes with staying in the water a little too long. Cornish sea water is cold, especially in the winter, and there are two main dangers that come with cold water immersion.
Cold Water Shock is the body's immediate response to immersion in cold water. The result is an increase in breathing rate and an increase in blood pressure, which can provide complications for anyone with underlying heart conditions. Cold water shock also greatly increases the chance of inhaling salt water, as the body responds to a sudden need to breathe. To avoid cold water shock, enter the water slowly and alw your body to adjust to the water temperature.
For most people, when in the water, the body will lose heat faster than it can be generated. Over longer periods of time, the risk of hypothermia grows. The water temperature, your body size, and your experience with cold water will determine the length of your swim. A good idea is to start off with short swims, this will allow you to establish your limits with experiencing the cold. If you begin to experience a deep, shivering cold, then exit the water and warm up.
Can you spot the rip currents?
Water Quality and Marine animals
Nobody wants to swim in dirty water. The water quality in Cornwall is generally very good, however periods of high rainfall can often lead to contamination from either urban or farmland run-off.
There is also occasionally the risk of raw, untreated sewage being discharged into the water. It’s possible to check the local water quality at most beaches around Cornwall's coastline using Safer Seas app, provided by Surfers Against Sewage.
As far as dangerous marine animals go in Cornwall, there are few you need to worry about. The main danger comes from venomous animals, such as jellyfish, Portuguese Man o’ War and weever fish. Each can deliver a painful sting, and each requires different treatment. For jellyfish and Man o’ War, carefully rinse the sting with salt water to remove any tentacles. With weever fish, submerge the sting in hot water. The heat acts to denature the protein based sting, so the hotter the water the better.
As with any sting, it’s important to monitor for signs of allergic reaction or anaphylactic shot. If you spot any symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
In general, the water quality in Cornwall is good, although that’s not always the case
The Decision is Yours
Ultimately, the decision to enter the water is yours. Consider the risks above, and seek local information, which can usually be found on an informative sign on the beach. If you’re unsure for any reason, then we suggest moving to a safer beach, or coming back another day.
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