Swim 10k Challenge - Safety Advice

Please read this safety advice in full and be aware participation is at your own risk. Whether you choose to take part in the sea, a lake, a loch, your local swimming pool, or lido, it’s important you understand how to stay safe while fundraising for Cancer Research UK.  

Preparing for your challenge   

• If you're doing the challenge in open water (i.e. in the sea), never undertake this challenge alone. Please enjoy this challenge with others who can assist you should it be required. Always be aware of your location and take your mobile phone to wherever you are swimming. 
• If you’re considering attempting this challenge outside in open water, please check weather forecasts, tides, and water conditions in advance and plan accordingly. Ensure you know the conditions and how to protect yourself, and don’t partake if you don’t feel full confidence. 
• Always ensure you’ve taken a means of calling for help in case of an emergency for you or someone you’re with. 
• Check local advice and choose your locations carefully. Seek out locations which are familiar to you. Ensure it's safe for you to get in the water, and that you can exit easily. 
• This challenge is entirely at your own risk, so please assess your ability and safety before you participate. Cancer Research UK shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss to you or your property that might occur as a result of your participation. 
• If you have underlying health conditions (i.e. heart disease, asthma, lung conditions) or any other medical conditions that might be affected by this challenge, or if you are pregnant, then please seek appropriate medical advice before proceeding. 
• Do not take part in the challenge under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The minimum age for participation is 16. Anyone under this age should not undertake the Swim 10k Challenge.  
• Plan your outdoor swims in daylight hours and avoid dipping in the dark. 

During your challenge  

• Approach the challenge sensibly and don’t go beyond your capability levels. 
• If you are swimming in open water, it’s advised that you wear brightly coloured clothes, and your Cancer Research UK swimming cap so you can be easily spotted. It will also help you retain body heat while in the water.  
• If swimming indoors, such as at a local swimming pool, please observe their rules. Do not swim after consuming alcohol, check depth and length to ensure you are confident with it. Ask a member of staff for guidance if you’re unsure. 
• If taking part in open water, you may also like to wear a wetsuit, which would aid buoyancy and make you feel more comfortable in the water. Neoprene boots and gloves are also a good addition to ensure your hands and feet do not get too cold.   
• Always enter the water slowly and avoid jumping in as this could cause cold water shock. 
• Seek help immediately if you feel very cold, woozy, nauseous, disorientated, dizzy or faint. 
• In case of an open water emergency, call 999 for help and ask for a coast guard.  

After your challenge  

• Warm up gradually after getting out of the water, dry yourself off and put on warm, dry layers.  
• Avoid standing around, and have a warm drink and some food. Move to a warm location, especially if you’re swimming outside.  

We recommend reading the following guidance too:  

https://rnli.org/safety/choose-your-activity/open-water-swimming#section-anchor-link---summary 

https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/summer-safety/ 

If swimming indoors

• If swimming indoors, such as at a local swimming bath, please observe their rules, these normally entail things like no running around the pool, no diving unless specified, do not swim after consuming alcohol, check depth and length to check you are confident with it, etc. Ask a member of staff for guidance if you’re unsure. 
• This challenge is entirely at your own risk, so please assess your ability and safety before you participate. Cancer Research UK shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss to you or your property that might occur as a result of your participation.
• If you have underlying health conditions (i.e., heart disease, asthma, lung conditions) or any other medical conditions that might be affected by this challenge, or if you are pregnant, then please seek appropriate medical advice before proceeding. 
• Do not take part in the challenge under the influence of drugs or alcohol.