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General safety in or on the water

All sports have their own rules but there are some general safety tips that apply to all water activities:

• get trained - take part in any safety training needed for your sport or activity
• check the weather and tides before setting out
• wear a lifejacket - make sure it's the right one for the activity
• keep in touch - take an appropriate means of communication with you, like a marine band radio or mobile phone
• tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back
• don't drink alcohol before going in or on the water

• Understanding waves, tides and currents

• Check UK weather forecasts - Met Office Opens new window

• Choosing your lifejacket - advice from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution Opens new window

Make sure you understand and obey any safety flags at the beach and pay attention to the lifeguard, if there's one on duty.

• Find out about lifeguards and safety flags

Get the right training for your water activity

You'll need to take different safety precautions depending on which activity you're taking part in. You can get specialist advice about the training and safety gear you'll need for each activity from a professional or governing body. You might also consider joining a local club for qualified support and advice.

Angling and fishing

Although there are no safety regulations for recreational angling, it's a good idea to have membership in an organisation like the Angling Trust. Contact the Angling Trust for more details on local clubs.

• The Angling Trust Opens new window

Canoeing and kayaking

If you are new to canoeing and kayaking, you should join a club or get training from an approved centre. Check the British Canoe Union website for clubs and centres near you.

• British Canoe Union - clubs and centres Opens new window

• Paddleability - canoeing for disabled people Opens new window

If you use your canoe or kayak on inland waterways, you'll need a navigational licence. See 'Using your boat on inland waterways' for more information.

• Using your boat on inland waterways

Cliff climbing

It's important to have training for cliff climbing so you understand climbing techniques and how to use the right gear and safety equipment. For advice about safety, training and where to climb, contact the British Mountaineering Council.

• British Mountaineering Council Opens new window

Kite surfing

Kite surfing is an extreme sport where a kite pulls you through the water on a small surfboard.
Don't try to kite surf without proper instruction. You can get lessons at an approved school, like one run by the British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA).

• British Kite Surfing Association Opens new window

Personal watercraft

A personal water craft (PWC) is a water vehicle that the rider sits or stands on. They are commonly known by brand names, like Jet Ski, Wave Runner or Sea Doo. Riding a PWC can be a risky activity if you are inexperienced or unprepared. It's a good idea to become a member of a PWC club or organisation, as they organise training days.

The Royal Yachting Association and the Personal Watercraft Partnership can give you more advice on safety, training and where to launch. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) also has a good guide on using a PWC safely.

• Royal Yachting Association training Opens new window

• Personal Watercraft Partnership Opens new window

• Download 'RNLI sea safety guidelines' (PDF, 1.06MB) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Sailing

The national governing body for sailing is the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Check the RYA website for information about training. Follow the links below for more information about training and safety on board yachts and other pleasure craft.

• Royal Yachting Association training Opens new window

• Sailability: sailing with a disability - RYA Opens new window

• Safety regulations for pleasure craft

Scuba diving

All beginner divers are recommended to enrol in a recognised training course that will lead to a scuba diving certificate.

The four main agencies that offer training are:

• the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
• the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA)
• the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club (SSAC)
  

• British Sub-Aqua Club Opens new window

• Professional Association of Diving Instructors Opens new window

• Sub-Aqua Association Opens new window

• Scottish Sub-Aqua Club Opens new window

Surfing

The British Surfing Association (BSA) has a list of approved surfing schools in your area.

• British Surfing Association Opens new window

Water safety and life-saving training

For training in water safety and life saving, contact the Royal Life Saving Society.

• Courses - Royal Life Saving Society Opens new window

Join HM Coastguard's voluntary safety identification scheme

You can register your pleasure craft or leisure vessel, like a canoe or PWC, with the coastguard through the voluntary safety identification scheme (CG66). This means that if you get into difficulty, the coastguard has information about your vessel that will help to identify you. Follow the link below for more information.

• Register your boat with HM Coastguard

More useful links

• Find out more about fishing from the Environment Agency Opens new window

• Using pleasure craft safely

• What to do if you recover wreck material

• Discovering the UK's coastline (environment and greener living section)