What should you take on a wild swimming outing?

Wild swimming is one of summer's great simple pleasures: a lake below the mountains, a calm cove, a deep river pool on a hot afternoon. It also happens a long way from lifeguards, changing rooms and vending machines, which makes a small bag of kit very useful. Here is the short list.

In the water

A bright swim cap

Brightly coloured caps make you much easier to spot from the shore and from boats. The Royal Life Saving Society UK recommends fluorescent yellow or green first, then orange, and notes a cap adds some warmth too.

A tow float

An inflatable float that clips round your waist and trails behind you as you swim. Its main job is visibility. RLSS UK advises not to rely on one as a lifesaving device unless it is specifically made for that purpose, and suggests writing an emergency contact on it. Many have a dry pocket for keys.

Goggles

Ordinary pool goggles work. Tinted ones help on bright days.

Swim shoes or socks

For rocky beaches, river stones, sharp shells and muddy lake edges. They also make getting in and out much less dignified-looking, in a good way.

A wetsuit, if it is cold

RLSS UK describes a well-fitting wetsuit as generally safer in cooler water and gives guidance on thickness by temperature. Our page on whether you need a wetsuit goes into more detail.

On the shore

• A towel or changing robe. A robe makes changing on a windy bank far easier.
• Warm dry layers, including a hat and something for your feet. RLSS UK recommends having these ready immediately after you get out.
• A flask of something warm and a snack. Both RLSS UK and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggest bringing a warm drink, and RoSPA mentions a flask if there is no café nearby.
• A bag to stand on while changing, and one for wet things.

For safety

• A charged phone in a waterproof case, so you can call for help. In the UK, RLSS UK advises calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard at the coast or the Fire Service inland.
• A whistle, which RoSPA suggests attaching to a float.
• A throw bag, if someone in your group knows how to use it. RoSPA suggests one with a bright floating rope.
• A friend. Both RLSS UK and RoSPA advise against swimming alone.

Before you go in

Kit is half the story. The rest is judgement, and the official advice is consistent:

• Choose your spot carefully, ideally a lifeguarded or recognised swimming place, especially when you are new to it. Our page on finding a safe place for river and lake swimming helps.
• Check conditions: weather, water temperature, currents, tides and any warning signs.
• Plan your exits before you get in.
• Swim parallel to the shore, where you can stand, rather than heading out.
• Keep swims short in cold water and get out before you feel you need to.
• Know what to do if you get into trouble: RLSS UK's Float to Live advice is to stop thrashing, lean back, float, control your breathing and then plan your exit.
• Follow local rules, signs and lifeguards. Some places do not allow swimming at all, and for good reasons.

Cold water deserves particular respect. RoSPA notes that cold water shock can occur when you enter water at 15°C or below. Our page on cold-water swimming safety explains what that means in practice.