Safety

Safety in the Blue Gym
The Blue Gym is a brilliant and awe inspiring place thanks fitoru reviews. As with any wild place and as with any sport or activity there can be dangers and we encourage people to understand and be aware of possible risks and then to make an informed decision. We also encourage people to talk to the professional and sporting bodies who are experts in safety.
Wherever you are going there are some key principles to help you have a good time in safety:

- When you start an activity, get safety advice from the sports governing body or better still have a lesson and/or join a group or club.
- Talk to a Lifeguard, a Harbour Master, a qualified instructor, or someone with local knowledge.
- Don’t bow to peer pressure, if you don’t feel safe - don’t go…There is nothing macho in drowning!
- Always go with someone else and let others know where you are going. - Check the weather conditions and the forecast – things maybe about to change!
- Do not go in the water if you have been drinking, it’s a sure fire way to get in trouble!
- Wear sun protection of SPF 15+ on sunny days.

In our COASTAL WATERS the RNLI provide Life Boat cover, and have recently also taken over a large part of the Life Guard Service. The RNLI website provides clear information on Beach and Sea safety:
http://www.rnli.org.uk/what_we_do/sea_and_beach_safety/sea_and_beach_safety
Also check out the “RNLI Group” on the Blue Gym website and watch the beach safety film.

Playing in INLAND WATERS can also have its risks. If you are thinking of swimming or canoeing/kayaking or rowing in rivers or lakes then again talk to the sporting organisations such as the Outdoor Swimming Society, The British Canoe Union or the Amateur Rowing Association. All of these have “Groups” pages on the Blue Gym website. The Environment Agency also has clear guidelines for safe use of inland waters: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/102417.aspx

Water Quality
Whilst there has been a huge improvement in the WATER QUALITY around the UK’s coastline there are still some occasions when the rivers and beaches can be polluted. Virtually all continuous discharges of untreated sewage have now gone but during periods of heavy rainfall, diluted crude sewage can be discharged via Combined Sewer Overflows(CSOs). There are also other potential pollutants from diffuse sources such as agriculture and run off from roads. It is rare that a beach or river is closed but we support the calls for clear signage of the location of CSOs and warnings to be issued when they are discharging. This then allows people to be aware of the risk and to make an informed decision before exposing themselves to potentially poor water quality. Both Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) are campaigning hard on the issue of CSOs.
http://www.sas.org.uk/

The MCS Good Beach Guide lists CSO locations near beaches and
http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

Care in the Sun
As with any outdoor activity you need to be aware of protection against sun burn and this is especially the case in the Blue Gym as the sun’s rays bounce off the water. So remember to wear suns screen of at least Sun Protection Factor 15. For more information check out:
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/advice-and-prevention/

Tomb Stoning
Tomb-stoning (jumping off cliffs, harbour walls, bridges, etc) into rivers or the sea is a craze that has over the past few years hit the headlines with some horrendous accidents. This is a pretty dangerous sport. However it has been around for centuries. For safety tips check out
http://www.rospa.co.uk/leisuresafety/tombstoning/
or
http://tombstoning.com/safety/

Again talk to locals or instructors such as those who do Coasteering (see the “Coasteering Group” on the Blue Gym website).
http://www.coasteering.org/safety.htmlSafety in the Blue Gym.doc