The Lakes Rangers have issued a warning to wild swimmers telling them to ‘be careful and know your limits.’

Other advice issued by the Rangers includes enter the water slowly, swim with a friend or group, don’t stay in too long and stay close to the shore for your safety.

The Lake District is of the country’s wild swimming hotspots with its large pristine bodies of water and stunning scenery.

Galleny Force, near Stonethwaite, is listed as one of the top 10 sites for wild swimming in the country.

‘While the water is very tempting, it’s important that people plan ahead and make sure they have all the knowledge and skills they need to keep safe’ said Lake Ranger, Jake Holmes.

‘People should be aware that there are often rocks and hazards under the water that you can't see, and the water may be shallower than you think near our jetties so please don’t just jump in and hope for the best.

Their warning comes after a sudden rise in the popularity of wild swimming nationwide, the death of a paddleboarder in Ullswater this month and just this week a 12-year-old girl was taken to hospital after receiving serious head and neck injuries at Black Moss Pot, Langstrath.

The risk is heightened locally as popular swimming locations in the Lake District aren’t accessible by road, so rescue is by the mountain rescue or air ambulance only. 

Both services are not publicly funded and have faced serious pressure in recent times as their costs have gone up considerably and the cost-of-living crisis has hit donations.

Each year, according to the Royal Life Saving Society, an average of 402 UK and Irish citizens lose their life in ‘preventable’ accidental drownings with more than 46 per cent of those people having no intention of being in water at all.

Last year the Royal Life Saving Society said that in just one week in July 17 people lost their lives due to accidental drownings at an average of more than 2 per day and their survey shows that around two thirds of UK adults have never had any formal training or education in water safety.

The RNLI have also launched their ‘Float to Live’ programme which advises swimmers in difficulty to lean back and stay afloat using gentle hand movements to save energy and help keep calm.

They advise that one of the biggest risks that wild swimmers face is that of cold-water shock.

Cold water is defined as a body of water below 15 degrees and with the average temperature of rivers and seas in the UK being 12 degrees, we face a greater risk.

Cold water shock causes blood vessels in the skin to close, raising blood pressure and causing the heart to work much harder.

The sudden cooling of the skin by cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath.

Breathing rates can change uncontrollably, sometimes increasing as much as tenfold and all these responses contribute to a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs and drowning.

‘’Going for a swim in cold, open water can be exhilarating, but it’s not without risk’’ a spokesperson for the RNLI said

"So, if it’s your first-time open water swimming or cold-water dipping, it’s important to speak to a health care professional to discuss the risks of cold-water immersion before you go.’’

"Always arrange to go with a buddy. Open water swimming is much more fun with someone else, and you can look out for each other."

Wild swimming used to be very popular in the UK but poor water quality in rivers and lakes in the post-war period led to fewer and fewer people taking the plunge.

But after a more concerted effort to look after our waterways, lakes and rivers are once again a favourable choice for both enthusiasts and first timers.

According to recent studies there are many health benefits to wild swimming with studies suggesting that swimming regularly in cold water can improve people’s mental health.

Psychologist Hannah Denton wrote a report in 2019 saying that wild swimming was ‘transformative, connecting and re-orientating’ and it caused changes in ‘mind, body and identity’ for regular swimmers.

Wild swimming also has been proven to be beneficial for people’s physical health.

Apart from the obvious boost to physical fitness, studies have shown that cold water swimming also improves blood circulation, boosts metabolism and aids sleep.

The rise in wild swimming has been fuelled by the COVID lockdowns and the unusually hot summers of the last 2 years have also had an impact.

And whilst many new people have enjoyed the health benefits of swimming and a ‘frog’s eye’ view of some of the most beautiful places in the Lake District there is no doubt that more and more people are getting into difficulty in the water putting strain on emergency services.

However, it is hoped that the Lakes Rangers’ and the RNLI’s new education campaigns can raise awareness of the risks and dangers of wild swimming and help people enjoy our beautiful lakes, rivers and seas carefully and safely.

 

Read More: Carlisle Cathedral to feature in special Songs of Praise