Risk management is about common sense. As a swimmer ask yourself certain questions before getting in:
- Is it clean?
- Is it safe?
- Am I safe?
- Is it legal?
- Will I get too cold?
These questions are covered here.
At the beginning of most peoples open water adventures - the times where theystart wanting to take the plunge into waterfalls, explore downstream from river pools and strike out across lakes, comes the question: is it safe? We hear so much in the media about the dangers of wild swimming that it would be easy to paint of picture of death being imminent the minute you step into open water, with swimmers disabled by icy water, unpredictable currents and shopping trolleys.
The truth is not quite like: swimming in open water is much like every other outdoor sport - climbing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking. There are risks, but they can be moderated. Like anything in the great outdoors, wild swimming is only reckless if undertaken recklessly. Most OSS members appreciate this, and their need to do their own risk assessment before getting in.