Kayakers

Sea safety

Sea safety

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Beach
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Coast
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Sea
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Onboard
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Resources
Sea safety tips:
Tip 1
Check the weather and tides
Do not get caught out by the conditions
Tip 2
Carry a means of calling for help
For example a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or VHF/DSC radio
Tip 3
Download the SafeTrx app
Let your loved ones know where you are and gain quick access to emergency services
Tip 4
Share your plans
Tell someone where you are going and what time you’ll be back, if you do not return as planned they can raise the alarm
Tip 5
Remember Float to Live
If you find yourself in trouble in the water, relax and float on your back like a starfish
If you see someone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
Swimmer

Cold water shock

Cold water shock is how our body reacts to suddenly entering cold water, it can make you gasp uncontrollably and inhale water.

Cold water shock can leave you helpless in seconds, even the fittest person would be unable to swim or focus on breathing. 

All waters around the UK are potentially cold enough to induce cold water shock, even in high summer.

If you enter the water unexpectedly, take a minute - the initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute so do not try to swim straight away. Relax and follow the Float to Live advice.

Reduce the risks:

  • Check conditions - including water temperature, before heading to the coast.
  • Acclimatise – enter the water slowly, getting used to the temperature and get breathing under control.
  • Know your limits - do not overexert yourself.
  • Wear a flotation device - increase your chances of survival.
  • Wear a wetsuit appropriate for your activity.

Don't die from cold water shock

A man underwater Watch now

Kayaking and canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing are among the most popular watersports in the UK. But things can go wrong when out on the water, even if you’re a seasoned professional.

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency, for example a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
  • Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and make sure you are also wearing suitable clothing

  • Label your equipment with your contact details, if it’s lost we can check that you are safe - order your label from our web shop.

  • Find out about available training and qualifications to ensure you are safe and confident.
  • Paddle in a group where possible, they can call 999 in an emergency.
  • If you're exploring somewhere new, consider asking experienced kayakers or canoeists about the area.
  • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.
  • If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Angler sat with their fishing rod on rocks close to the water

Angling

With a large variety of species and habitats, the UK’s coast attracts year-round sea and boat anglers. But even when angling close to the shore, life-threatening incidents can happen, including being swept out to sea. 

Reduce the risks:

  • Wear a lifejacket when boat or shore fishing.
  • Remember to have your lifejacket regularly serviced and always check before using.
  • Check the weather forecast, tide times and particularly the swell forecast - to avoid being swept away or being cut off by the tide.
  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency. For example, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Have a throwline that you can use if someone enters the water.
  • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.
  • If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Open water swimming

Open water swimming has grown in popularity in recent years. But it’s not without risk - it’s easy to underestimate the conditions or overestimate what our bodies are capable of. 

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
  • Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
  • Check the safety signs and flags around the beach, be aware of any dangers, know where to enter and exit the water.
  • Look out for rip currents.
  • Wear a wetsuit to help you stay warm and increase your buoyancy.
  • Make yourself more visible - wear a brightly coloured swim hat and use a tow float.
  • Ideally swim with a buddy - have a plan before you enter the water and keep an eye on each other.
  • Tell someone where you are going and what time you’ll be back, especially if you're going alone.
  • Acclimatise to cold water slowly - enter gradually to reduce the risk of cold water shock.
  • Always swim parallel to the shore and not straight out.
  • Swim in depths you're comfortable in.
  • If in doubt, do not go out - if you feel unwell or unsure of the conditions, do not risk it.
  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency, for example a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Take warm clothes and a hot drink for after your swim to help you warm up.
     

Open water swimmer standing on the beach wearing warm layers and a hat, holding a mug, after a swim in the sea

 

Stand up paddleboarding

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest growing watersports in the UK. For beginniners and more experienced paddleboarders alike, following our tips can help you stay safe when out paddling.

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
  • Do not go out on your paddleboard when there are offshore winds – they can quickly blow you out to sea.
  • Always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) - choose a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket that allows you to move and paddle freely. 
  • On a lifeguarded beach - make sure you launch and recover between the black and white chequered flags.
  • Wear suitable clothing - a wet or dry suit will help you to stay warm and increase buoyancy.
  • Always wear your leash and hold onto your board if you get into trouble - British Canoeing has some tips to help you decide which leash is right for you.
  • Try to go out paddleboarding with someone else - they can raise the alarm in an emergency.
  • Get the appropriate level of training, for example contact British Canoeing, the British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA), a local club or watersports activity centre to find out what training is best for your needs. British Canoeing is the governing body for stand up paddleboarding and have a range of resources. 
  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency, for example a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.
  • If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Take your phone in a waterproof pouch

Aerial view of three people standup paddle-boarding on the sea Watch now

Scuba diving

Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) diving is an exciting way to learn about our underwater marine world. But it’s essential to have the right equipment and training. Despite being well trained and equipped, many divers still lose their lives each year to a medical incident not related to diving, particularly cardiac issues, so it’s just as vital to be fit and well.

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Get regular health checks - see a health care professional or a registered diving doctor.
  • Be aware of diving-specific health risks - always consider your cardiac health before diving and have any concerns checked out.
  • Make sure you have the right level of training for your diving - train for UK diving conditions.
  • Check your diving equipment at the start of the season - make sure it's in service and ready for use.
  • Plan your dives - check the weather, tide times and sea conditions.
  • Always dive with a buddy and complete the buddy check – it could be a lifesaver.
  • Make sure you’re visible on the surface - always carry a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) or Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) on every dive.
  • Carry a means of calling for help - consider taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or similar device in a waterproof canister.
Learn more from the British Sub-Aqua Club

Kitesurfing and kitesports

Kitesurfing is one of the most exciting watersports, involving factors such as speed, kite lines, wind and rights of way. Before participating in any kitesport we recommended getting professional tuition from a qualified instructor. Without the correct instruction, kitesurfing can be a dangerous sport.

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Stay within your limits - never ride out further than you can swim back. 
  • Do not ask or allow someone who is not familiar with kites to help you launch or land.
  • Check the weather forecast, current conditions and tide times - do not go out in offshore winds or adverse conditions.
  • Observe local kitesurfing and kitesports zones and regulations - if unsure please ask other riders or local officials.
  • Always try to kite with another person. They can raise the alarm in an emergency.
  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency, for example a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), helmet and suitable clothing - wetsuits (and boots) will help keep you warmer for longer and increase buoyancy.

  • Label your equipment with your contact details, if it’s lost we can check that you are safe - order your label from our web shop.

  • Wear a kite leash - launch only fully inflated kites as under-inflated or leaking kites are much harder to control.
  • Check your lines have been attached correctly - if rigged incorrectly it will seriously affect control. 
  • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.
  • If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Learn more from the British Kitesports Association
Surfing

Surfing

Surfing was first introduced in the UK in 1929. There are many famous surf spots and over 250,000 regular surfers. With such cold and unpredictable seas, we recommend the following basic safety tips to help stay safe while surfing.   

 

Reduce the risks:

  • Learn surf etiquette and understand rights of way - be considerate of other water users and surfers.
  • Ideally surf with a buddy - have a plan before you enter the water and keep an eye on each other.
  • Check the weather forecast and tide times before you leave home.
  • On a lifeguarded beach - make sure you launch and recover between the black and white chequered flags.
  • Look out for rip currents.
  • Stay within your limits - don’t challenge yourself too early if you're a beginner.
  • Wear a leash so you stay attached to your board – if you get into difficulty, always stay with your board as it will keep you afloat and make you easier to find.
  • Wear a suitable wetsuit for the conditions - as well as keeping you warm, wetsuits help with buoyancy and provide some protection from scrapes and bumps. 
  • Carry a means of calling for help you can reach easily in an emergency. For example, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch (consider the SafeTrx app).
  • Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re likely to be back.
  • If you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Learn more from Surfing England
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