Water Safety Code
The Water Safety Code gives you essential and easy-to-remember information about how to stay safe in or near water. It helps you to -
- Plan for your activity (whether that’s swimming or other water sports or simply being near water)
- Know what to do in an emergency.
Whether you’re by the sea, a lake, loch, river, canal, pool, pond or quarry, water can be very dangerous. You may be a good swimmer in a warm, indoor pool. But if you’re in cold water, you may not be able to swim so well – especially if you’ve entered the water unexpectedly.
Here are four steps of the Water Safety Code:
The Water Safety Code in Scotland is different and can be found here:
Download
Stop and think. Spot the dangers
There are many different dangers in the water:
It can be very cold
There may be hidden currents
It can be difficult to get out (steep slippery banks)
It can be deep and it is difficult to estimate depth
There may be hidden rubbish like shopping trolleys and broken glass
There may be no lifeguards
Stay together
Don't go to the water alone - take a friend or family member with you
Children should always go near water with an adult
An adult can point out dangers or help if somebody gets into trouble
Float to Live
If you fall into the water unexpectedly, float until you can control your breathing. Then call for help or swim to safety.
In an emergency
Call 999.
Help us save more lives
It’s simple: if more people know how to stay safe in the water, more lives will be saved. Here are some ways you can help us spread the word about water safety:
If you have children, teach them the Water Safety Code
Make sure your whole family knows basic water safety and what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly.
Talk to your local school
It’s so important to include swimming lessons and basic water safety in the school curriculum. This means that children will have the potentially life-saving skills and knowledge they need to make the right choices around water.
Check in with your employer
Is water safety taken seriously enough in your organisation’s health and safety policy? It should be – especially if your workplace is close to water.
Read more
Water safety signs
Find out about the three main types of water safety signs when you are around water.