Lifesaving charities team up for festive dip advice

RNLI lifeboat stations and RLSS UK affiliated lifesaving clubs, in common with many other organisations, have cancelled their hugely popular festive dips due to Covid-19 restrictions and the need to ease demands on all emergency and health services.

But both lifesaving charities are urging anyone who does venture into the sea or other open water locations over Christmas and New Year to be aware of the risks and enjoy themselves as safely as possible.

The RNLI has been busy responding to incidents involving swimmers this winter.

Earlier this month the volunteer crew at Portishead in Somerset rescued a swimmer who had been in the sea for 80 minutes, while Sunderland RNLI pulled another to safety, after spotting him in the rough conditions thanks to his bright orange swimming cap and tow float.

The Coastguard has reported a 79.8%* increase in emergency call-outs for swimming related incidents year-on-year between January and November, compared to the same period in 2019.

Lee Heard, RLSS UK Charity Director, said: ‘While festive dips are an increasingly popular tradition with brave bathers in plummeting temperatures, we are concerned that with the cancellation of well organised and lifeguarded events combined with a rise in open water swimming participation this year that individuals may still choose to dip this festive period.

‘We simply urge swimmers to stay safe, be prepared and consider their actions on our already stressed emergency services, including the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews.’

Cold water shock is a very real danger for anyone entering water which is 15°C or below, with the average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland at this time of year just 6-10°C - which also poses a risk of hypothermia, even for the most experienced of open water swimmers.

RNLI Water Safety Partner Samantha Hughes said: ‘No one goes into the water in the expectation of needing to be rescued but we are asking anyone considering going for a festive dip to understand the dangers and not take unnecessary risks so they can have a good time, safely.

‘We recommend checking with your doctor before trying a cold water dip for the first time, especially if you have underlying health issues.

‘It is important to respect the water and there are a number of things you can do to help ensure you have an enjoyable and safe time such as not swimming alone, staying in your depth and knowing how to warm up properly afterwards, which sounds obvious but is crucial to avoid any delayed effects of the cold and hypothermia.

‘The most important thing to remember is if you are in any doubt, stay out of the water and if you or anyone else does get into trouble in or on the water please call 999 or 112 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.’

The top safety tips for taking a festive dip are:

• Be prepared – Check the weather forecast, including tide information and wave height. Take plenty of warm clothes for before and after your dip, along with a hot drink for when you come out of the water. Take a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. Wearing a wetsuit will help increase your buoyancy and reduce the chances of suffering cold water shock
• Never swim alone – always go with a buddy, if possible, to a familiar spot and tell someone when you plan to be back
• Acclimatise slowly – never jump straight in as this can lead to cold water shock, walk in slowly and wait until your breathing is under control before swimming
• Be seen – wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float
• Stay in your depth - know your limits including how long to stay in the water
• Float to live - If you get into trouble lean back in the water, extending your arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around to gain control of your breathing
• Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard - if you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble call for help immediately
• If in doubt, stay out – there is always another day to go for a swim

Notes to editors:

Interviews are available via phone, Skype, or Microsoft Teams

• A YouTube video of the RNLI’s top winter dip safety tips can be viewed here and video content from the RLSS is available on request
• For more safety information on open water swimming visit rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming#
• *Up from 436 between January and November 2019 to 784 for the same period in 2020

For more information, please contact the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]

Key facts about RLSS UK

Around 700 people drown in the UK every year and the RLSS UK aims to prevent drowning through water safety education in subjects ranging from life support (CPR) to water survival and rescue skills. RLSS UK trains more than 350,000 lifeguards and lifesavers each year. Trained RLSS UK lifeguards save in the region of 15,000 lives every year. For more information visit rlss.org.uk

The RNLI and RLSS UK partnership

The relationship between the RNLI and RLSS UK is fluid and complementary. The charities align at a national level in support of key initiatives which include the UK Drowning Prevention Strategy and Scottish and Welsh Drowning Prevention Strategies. The relationship extends to the development of products, campaigns and resources including local community safety plans.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.