Water safety

Your child may learn about water safety at school. If they go to a youth group like Cubs or Brownies they may learn about water safety there. But to keep them safe, it’s important for you talk to them about it too.

Here are the main things you all should know – the Water Safety Code:

1. Stop and think – spot the dangers.
2. Stay together, stay close.
3. In an emergency, call 999.

You can download a copy of the water safety code here.

Whatever age your child is, you’ll find lots of helpful resources on the RNLI and Education Scotland websites which you could look at together. You could also check out the water safety quiz and other resources Scottish Swimming Learn to Swim website.

Even if your children are confident swimmers, it’s important that they realise that swimming in open water, like a loch, lake or river or the sea, isn’t the same as swimming in a swimming pool. Here’s why:

• Open water is moving and could carry you away, even if you’re a strong swimmer.
• Open water can be deeper than you think.
• Open water can be a lot colder than you think, even on a warm sunny day. Jumping or falling into cold water can seriously affect your breathing and heart and your ability to move or swim. You can find out more about cold water shock on the Water Safety Scotland website.
• There might be hidden dangers under the water, like rocks or rubbish. 
• The edge of open water can also be dangerous – you may slip or be swept in by a wave.

If you fall into open water, your immediate reaction may well be to panic. But this doesn’t help: the best thing to do is lie on your back and float with your arms and legs spread out like a starfish. This gives you a chance to calm down, catch your breath, and get used to the temperature of water. 
Because this doesn’t necessarily come naturally, it’s a really good idea to practise floating with the kids when you go swimming. Here’s what to do:

• Lean back to keep your mouth and nose out of the water.
• Push your belly up and spread out your arms and legs in a star shape.
• Gently more your hands and feet to help you float.

If they’re learning to swim at school they may have practised this already, and may be able to give you some tips!

If you’re heading out for a day by the sea or a loch, lake or river, make sure you’re prepared for the day:

• Check the weather forecast and only go if the weather’s looking good for what you have planned.
• Pack sunscreen, drinking water and a phone with plenty of charge so you can call for help if anything goes wrong.
• Pick a safe spot to visit , for example, a beach that has lifeguards. You can find your nearest lifeguarded beach on the RNLI website.
• When you arrive, read any warning signs carefully and follow any instructions about where (or where not) to go into the water swim.
• If you’re taking part in a water activity (like surfing or canoeing) make sure you have the right kit and are experienced enough to be safe. Before taking to the water, it’s best to get in touch with your local club or the National Governing Body for your sport to find out how to stay safe, or to take part in an organised class or course. You can find lots of advice for to prepare you for different water activities on the RNLI website.

Leave inflatable toys at home and save them for the paddling pool or swimming pool. They can be dangerous in open water as they can carry you out further then you can swim, and as they’re not designed for use at sea, they may burst and leave you stranded.

If you’re having a day out by the water, stay together. Make sure you know where everyone is at all times and that someone is always watching from the shore if other people are in the water. That way, if anyone gets into trouble, you’ll be able to call for help straightaway.

Remember there may be hidden hazards under the surface of the water, like rocks or rubbish, including broken glass.

Make sure the whole family knows what to do if they get into trouble in the water:

• Keep calm and don’t swim hard.
• Hold onto anything near you that floats. 
• Float like a starfish (see tip #3 above) until you feel more relaxed.
• When you can control your breathing, raise your hand and call for help or swim to shore.

If you see anyone else in trouble in the water, don’t go in and try and help them. You might end up in trouble too. Instead you should always call the Fire Service on 999.

Once you’ve called for help you should:

• Stay back from the edge and don’t go into the water. 
• Look for any available Public Rescue Equipment (like a lifebelt or throw line) or anything else you can throw to help them float. 
• Keep watch until help arrives.

Make sure older children know that open water and alcohol can be a dangerous mix. Alcohol (and also drugs) can seriously impair your judgement, reactions and ability to swim. You can find out more on the Royal Life Saving Society website.