Summer water safety

It is important to stay safe in summer water activity. You can do this by being mindful of potential hazards such as water currents and underwater objects. You can also speak to local coastguards. It is also important to ensure supervision near water by someone competent in water rescue. 

You should also use the Water Safety Code which says:

• stop and think so you can find the dangers
• stay together with children staying with adults
• if there is an emergency you should float
• call 999 (or 112 for Europe)in an emergency 

Swimming pools 

Swimming pools vary in size so you must know the depth of the pool in order to stay safe. Private swimming pools will not always point this out. You should never let your child jump in a swimming pool until you are sure of the size of it. Public swimming pools have a duty of care to protect you within reason, so you will have the added benefits of lifeguard supervision. Even with a shallow depth, keep an eye on small children and ensure you monitor them as children can drown in just 2cm of water.

If you are going on holiday you should check the safety arrangements at your property concerning any swimming pool. 

The ocean 

A way to stay safe in water when swimming in the ocean is to listen to the lifeguard and observe the flags flying. You should teach your children to do this too. 

Also, it is important not to be tempted to have a cocktail on the beach by the sea, as you should always be sober if you are supervising children.

Water Sports 

Water sports are a fun but dangerous activity which is particularly popular amongst teenagers and older children. For example:

• kayaking
• white -water rafting
• surfing

Cliff Diving

Cliff diving into the sea is a very risky activity and some teenagers find it tempting. This activity has a massive risk of spinal injuries.  Also, ensure you are never under the influence of alcohol or drugs when cliff diving. 

A way to stay safe during this summer weather activity is to ensure you take a first aid course. 

Drowning is when a person is submerged in water and the water is causing breathing difficulties. Undoubtedly it can be difficult to spot what a person drowning as they may not always appear distressed. 

According to St John's Ambulance, if you do see someone who is, or you think is, drowning you should immediately call 999. Do not put yourself in any danger by helping them. Instead, throw a balancing aid or only attempt to help them if you have had training on helping someone drowning.

If you can rescue a drowning person you should perform a primary survey which lets you know if they are unresponsive and not breathing. If they are you may be able to perform CPR and ask someone to find a defibrillator. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an accident such as in water in public, it may be possible to make a compensation claim. A water accident in public can be terrifying both for the victim and those they love. It is only fair that you seek compensation for your accident in public where it may be due.

All you need to do to make a personal injury compensation claimfor you or your childwith us is to speak to one of our professional and caring telephone advisors. They will carefully and sympathetically listen to the circumstances of your accident and, where relevant, will pass on to one of our highly competent panel of solicitors who will work with you to complete your claim.

Let us at National Accident Helpline help you make your water accident in public claim today. Just give us a call on or request a call back here. You can even use our compensation calculator to check how much you may be able to claim. 

^{Last updated 02.05.24}