What to do in an Open Water Swimming Emergency

August 1, 2023

When you swim in a pool, there are a variety of things that make it inherently safer than swimming in the open water. Some of these include shallower water, the ease of locating a side or safe exit point, safety personnel, and readily available rescue and first aid equipment. This is not always true of open water venues, which often have deeper water, wide open spaces, boats, and, in many cases, fewer if any rescue personnel and equipment. For these reasons it’s important to prepare for your next open water adventure, so you know what to do in case of an emergency.

As amazing, different, and exciting as open water swimming is, its inherent risks deserve consideration, and you should prepare for any difficulties or emergencies. This includes looking at the venue for conditions and hazards, safety protocols onsite, and equipment for comfort and safety.

You can do everything right and something can still go wrong. What are you going to do when the unthinkable happens and there’s an emergency that puts you or the group in danger?

Just as in any situation on land, it’s important to assess the situation and not make it any worse. That means not putting yourself and others in harm’s way when deciding how to deal with it. It’s easy to say, “don’t panic,” but in the instant an emergency happens, adrenaline will flow, and you might not think straight. It’s better to respond rather than react. Here are some tips to help with that decision-making process.

Understanding your environment and its inherent risks, anticipating problems, and knowing solutions before you encounter a problem will help you prepare. Being prepared will give you and your fellow swimmers the greatest chance of a good outcome in the event of an emergency.

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Scott Bay is a USMS-certified Masters coach and an ASCA Level 5 coach and has been actively coaching and teaching swimming since 1986 to swimmers of all ages. The Masters swimmers he currently coaches include national champions, All Americans, and world record holders, who have swum to more than 300 Top 10 swims and 30 world records in just the past 5 years. Throughout his career Bay has taught thousands how to swim or how to swim better. He’s also written numerous articles on technique and coaching and contributed to USMS’s coach certification curriculum. Bay presents at clinics across the country and has written an instructional book, “Swimming Steps to Success.” (Human Kinetics, 2015). Bay is the past chair of the USMS Coaches Committee, and the Head Coach of YCF Masters.

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Elaine K. Howley

Elaine K. Howley

Elaine K. Howley

Sara McLarty