{"id":13139,"date":"2021-12-03T09:27:06","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T14:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/?page_id=13139"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:29:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:29:04","slug":"open-water-and-beach-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/open-water-and-beach-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Water Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t

What is open water?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Open water include large bodies of water, such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bays, oceans, and some large ponds. A swimming pool is not considered \"open water.\"<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Open Water<\/td>\nSwimming Pool<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Paddle<\/td>\n\"Swimmer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Open water conditions may vary from hour to hour with limited or no visibility. Swimming pools typically are chemically treated, clear, and environmentally controlled. Differences and challenges of open water may include:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tide changes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Currents<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Drop offs<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Submerged hazards<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Encroaching watercraft<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Hazardous marine life such as jellyfish<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Surf conditions<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Little or no visibility\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Changing weather conditions\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. Wind<\/span><\/li>\n
  11. Potentially dangerous structures such as piers, jetties and rock formations that may also present surveillance blind spots<\/span><\/li>\n
  12. Surveillance blind spots may also include waves, glare, trees and islands.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Open water activities - what are they?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Open water activities include swimming, wading, snorkeling, surfing, water skiing, jet skiing or use of other motorized personal watercraft, tubing, rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, fishing, SCUBA, or participating in open water events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    What is an open water event?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Open water events are increasing in popularity. These events may include, triathlons, aquathlons (swim\/run), river swims, cold water splash activities, beach or pier swims, long distance swims, multi-sport events to include paddling with swimming, paddle races, open water sprints, or other competitive or fundraising events occurring in open water.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What are the dangers of open water activities?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Open water can include a variety of environments, and therefore a variety of hazards.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLimited visibility\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDepth\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnderwater currents & tides\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater temperature\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWeather\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWildlife\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t
    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    Open water can be deep or cloudy, which makes it hard to see. Currents and waves can also make the water move in ways that limit visibility. Waves, bubbles, or glare from the sun can make it even harder to see what is under the surface.<\/p>\n

    When you can\u2019t see well, it is harder to notice if someone is drowning or underwater. It is also difficult to spot dangers like rocks, fallen trees, thick plants, or wildlife.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    The depth of open water can be very deep, and it can change quickly in a short distance. Sometimes the water conditions make it hard to tell how deep it is. Natural water can have sudden drop\u2011offs, sandbars, rocks, and currents. These currents can move swimmers to deeper areas than they expected.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    Rivers, oceans, and some lakes have currents that can push swimmers away from the shore.<\/p>\n

    Tides can also change the depth of the water and make conditions rougher.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    Swimming in cold water can increase your risk for hypothermia.<\/p>\n

    Hypothermia happens when your body is exposed to cold for too long. How fast it develops depends on the person, the water temperature, and how long they stay in the cold. Hypothermia can happen in any water below 70\u00b0F.<\/p>\n

    Hypothermia is very dangerous and can be deadly. It affects the brain and body, making it hard to think clearly or move.<\/p>\n

    Know the water temperature and let people know where you are going and what you plan to do.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t swim alone \u2014 always have a buddy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    Check the weather forecast before you leave and while you are outside. Weather can change fast. If you notice a sudden change, go back to shore. It is usually not safe to swim in the rain.<\/p>\n

    Watch the sky. Forecasts are not always correct. If you see bad weather coming, get out of the water and go to a safe place.<\/p>\n

    Listen for thunder. You might hear it before you see lightning.<\/p>\n

    If you hear thunder or see lightning, get out of the water right away.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

    Natural waters are home to many kinds of fish and other animals. It\u2019s important to know what lives in the water and how it might affect your safety.<\/p>\n

    Some animals can be dangerous. Jellyfish, sharks, snakes, and other creatures can sting or bite swimmers. Stay away from wildlife.<\/p>\n

    Harmful algal blooms, also called HABs, can also be dangerous. Algae are tiny organisms that live in fresh and salt water in Virginia and around the world. Most algae are harmless, but some types in Virginia can make people and animals sick. Visit VDH\u2019s Harmful Algal Blooms webpage<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

    \n
    \n\t

    How to stay safe with open water activities.<\/b><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Learn how to swim!<\/b><\/li>\n
    2. Swim in designated areas and under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard. Check with the lifeguard concerning current water conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone and tell others when and where you plan to swim.<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Avoid swimming or boating after dark.<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. \u201cWhen in doubt - get out\u201d - if the water conditions change, or you\u2019re getting tired, or something isn\u2019t right, get out of the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    6. Know your environment. Be aware of water and weather conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    7. Know your equipment. If you are swimming or boating long distances, make sure you have floatation and backup equipment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    8. Wear a <\/span>life jacket<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    9. Learn Lifesaving Skills<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    10. Have an emergency plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Lifeguards<\/b><\/h3>\n

      \"lifeguardLifeguards are trained to prevent injuries and save lives, and respond to water incidents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Stay safe while swimming - listen to the lifeguard!<\/span><\/p>\n

      If you are a lifeguard, consider getting trained in open water guarding by participating in an Open Water Safety Training program. This training can build on your existing skills and expand your knowledge and abilities by learning how to use equipment involved in open water swimming events and rescue. Protect and save lives at another level!<\/span><\/p>\n

      Lifeguards should possess a current nationally accepted lifeguard certification such as the American Red Cross, YMCA or equivalent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Certified lifeguards are typically trained to recognize and respond to water and land emergencies such as distressed swimmers, active drowning victims, passive drowning victims, spinal injuries, cardiac arrest incidents, sudden illness and other medical events. These are all good skills to build on when training to be an open water lifeguard and\/or working open water swimming events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Training Considerations Include:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Higher physical competencies to include increased swimming distances and running.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Use of equipment such as two=way radios, megaphones, binoculars, surf rescue boards, kayaks and rescue buoys.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Site specific rescue drills in surf and deep water.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Coordination with support agencies to include fire and law enforcement.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
        <\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        What is open water? Open water include large bodies of water, such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bays, oceans, and some large ponds. A swimming pool is not considered “open water.” Open Water Swimming Pool Open water conditions may vary from hour to hour with limited or no visibility. Swimming pools typically are chemically treated, clear, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":453,"featured_media":0,"parent":8591,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13139","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nOpen Water Safety - Environmental Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/environmental-health-services\/swim-healthy\/open-water-and-beach-safety\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Open Water Safety - Environmental Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is open water? 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