Warning against taking a dip in the North Sea this winter
RNLI issues safety advice for cold water swimming
Last updated 9th Dec 2020
The RNLI has issued some advice for people planning on going open water swimming in the North Seas this winter.
With many swimming pools having been closed for most of the year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the charity has seen a sharp rise of 300% nationally in the number of people giving the sport a go.
They've put together a video which runs through some of their top tips for staying safe if you're going to head out into the water this winter.
It's presented by two members of the RNLI's water safety team who are both experienced open water swimmers.
Nick Ayres is the RNLI's Water Safety Lead in the North and East of England and is warning against choosing now as the time to try it out for the first time.
He said:
"Start in the summer and build your base up as you go through.
"Even in the summer the water temperature is still cool, it averages around 15 degrees celsius, which is technically cold water."
The RNLI is urging people to wait until after the winter, give it a go for the first time when the water is slightly warmer, and then keep it up regularly through into the winter so your body gets used to the temperatures.
Nick added:
"There are well-documented physical and mental health benefits of swimming in the sea, but it can also be very dangerous if you are unaware or under-prepared.
"Our volunteer lifeboat crews have dealth with a relatively high number of incidents since the end of the summer involving swimmers and dippers, so we are asking everyone to be aware of what they can do to keep themselves and others safe, and to Respect the Water.
"We would also always recommend checking with your doctor before trying it for the first time, especially if you have underlying health issues."