Swim 10k Challenge Safety Guide
We’re excited you’re taking on our Swim 10k Challenge. However, our motto for this challenge is Be Safe, Have Fun! Outdoor swimming challenges can be exhilarating and a lot of fun when done safely but please ensure you take the time to read our important safety guidance below before planning your challenge.
Top tips:
- Be prepared. Check the conditions before going in.
- Never go alone. Take a friend with you.
- Swim in a location known to you, preferably lifeguarded
- Make sure you are properly equipped
- Acclimatise to avoid cold water shock
- Plan your entry and exit
- Stay close to land and within your depth
- If you get into difficulty, float to live and call emergency services
Please take the time to check advice from the following websites:
If you have any underlying health conditions or any other medical conditions that might be affected by swimming outdoors, or if you are pregnant, then please seek medical advice before signing up and taking on the challenge.
This challenge is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.
Unless you are a competent open water swimmer, used to swimming in a particular environment, you should swim under the supervision of lifeguards or visit your local lido to take on this challenge.
If you have experience with outdoor swimming we are recommending that you take on this challenge somewhere you know well and go with somebody else that has swum in this location before for safety and in a location with a lifeguard if possible. If there isn’t a lifeguard make sure you consider how you will get in and out of the water, and also if there any hazards you need to be aware of like tide times, weather forecast, sea conditions, rip currents and sewage pollution.
You can find your nearest lifeguarded beaches here: Lifeguarded Beaches – Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach (rnli.org) or why not check out the Bluetits Chill Swimming community to find other suitable locations.
You can find your nearest lido here: All The Outdoor Swimming Pools And Lidos In The UK — Complete List (allthelidos.co.uk)
You can find your nearest Open Water venues here: Swim England or NOWCA or Beyond Swim or Open Water Swimming Lake Directory – Outdoor Swimming Society
Always check the weather forecast and sea conditions before you set off. Be prepared to change your plans or cancel if the forecast is not safe.
If you are swimming in the sea, make sure to look out for rip currents. They can be tricky to spot but look out for a channel of water that is churning and choppy on the sea’s surface. If you spot this do not go in the water and pick a different location for your dip.
Check the weather. Check Met Office (UK) for an inshore waters forecast.
Check the tides. Find tide tables and surf reports for the UK on the Met Office or Admiralty EasyTide.
Check pollution. Check here for sewage pollution alerts.
Make sure you take the right kit with you to keep warm and safe
- Swimming wetsuit, hat, neoprene gloves and boots, to keep warm
- Bright colours so you can be seen
- Brightly coloured tow float
- Plenty of warm clothes and hot drinks for after your dip
Please take the time to read advice on temperature and how to prevent cold water shock, hypothermia and after drop. You can read more about it here: outdoorswimmer.com
Going with someone else is much more fun. Whether they are staying dry on land or coming in with you, it’s much safer than doing it alone. Always let friends or family know where and when you will be. Make sure to take a mobile phone to call for help if needed.
Make sure someone knows where, when and for how long you are going for your swims.
Get a waterproof cover for your phone so you can take it in with you and ideally have someone on land watching (and cheering you on). Lastly, make sure you have a charged phone with you and the location you are going has signal. Take a whistle to attract attention if you feel panicked or get into difficulty.
You might like to download the RYA SafeTrx app (UK) or Irish Sailing SafeTrx app (Ireland), which can track your swim and alert emergency contacts if you fail to return home on time.
- Enter the water slowly to acclimatise to the temperature. Never jump or dive in!
- Stay within your depths and make sure you don’t go too far from land
- Swim parallel to the shoreline and stay away from deeper water
- The colder the water and the air temperature the less time you should spend in the water
- Set a timer and get out when it goes off
- Plan how you will get in and out and stick to the plan
- Assess the conditions – if the water is too rough, don’t get in!
When entering cold water, allow yourself time to acclimatise by entering slowly. Do not jump in. Never go beyond your comfort zone or out of your depth.
Please take the time to read about the dangers of after shock here: Cold Water Shock – Water Safety Tips – Know The Risks (rnli.org)
If you are feeling very cold, disorientated or dizzy please seek help immediately.
If you experience cold water shock or fall into the water fight your instinct to swim until the cold-water shock passes; relax and float on your back until you can control your breathing and call for help!
If tired or in difficulty remember to roll on to your back to rest, hold on to something that floats, signal for help.
If you get into difficulty whilst in a river, float with your feet facing down stream and your bottom up – use your feet to kick off any hazards. Keeping your bottom up protects from contact with debris.
You can find more information here: Know the risks (rnli.org) and here Float To Live – What To Do In An Emergency – RNLI
To minimise the risk of after drop, dress immediately starting with the top half of your body, put on a hat and gloves and have a warm (non-alcoholic) drink and something to eat.
Do not take on this challenge whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Make sure you are prepared for the challenge and then go out and enjoy it! Remember, plan your swims, get the right gear, don’t swim alone and know your limits.
Send us an email at virtualchallenges@younglivesvscancer.org.uk. We have a team dedicated to resolving your queries!
Alternatively post your questions in the Facebook Group.
By signing up for this challenge you will be confirming that you have read our full safety guidance, are over the age of 18, are physically fit and in good health to safely take part in this challenge and that you have no known condition that may affect your ability to take on this challenge or that it could cause a risk of danger to yourself or others. You must understand that you are 100% responsible for choosing a safe location for your challenge and that you acknowledge that you are taking part in this event at your own risk and that Young Lives vs Cancer, cannot be held liable for any injury, accident, loss, damage or public liability caused or sustained before, during or after the event, as a result of your participation. You need to understand that you are responsible for your own safety and your own actions (including the safety of your possessions) whilst undertaking this challenge.