Coastal Safety
Water Safety Scotland encourages enjoyment of the array of beautiful beaches across Scotland, but there are dangers present in the water that can catch out even the most experienced swimmers. Every year in Scotland, drowning fatalities occur at our beaches but also abroad. Tides, waves, currents and low water temperature can all pose risks to those using coastal waters.
What are the risks?
Rip currents
Rip Currents are currents of water typically flowing from the shoreline back out to sea. They are commonly formed by a build-up of water on the beach caused by wave and tidal motion but can also form where an estuary runs into the sea.
In the UK tides are relatively regular and predictable, yet despite this fact every year a number of people are caught out by rapidly rising water and end up being trapped in isolated bays. If you intend to venture across any beach or bank affected by tidal water, make sure you know when the incoming tide is expected and know where all the exits are.
Cold water shock
Cold water shock (CWS) is an involuntary response to the body being suddenly or unexpectedly immersed into water which has a temperature of less than 15 °C. Please visit our cold water shock page to learn more of this dangerous effect.
Minimising risks at coastal waters
- Do not swim near or dive from rocks, piers, breakwater and coral
- Look for water safety signage
- Novelty inflatables can easily be taken out to sea, putting the user in great danger. These should never be used in open water; keep them for enclosed areas such as pools only
- If you get stuck in quicksand or mud do not stand up. Lie down, spread your weight, shout for help and move slowly in a breaststroke action towards the shore
- If you see someone in trouble, call 999
Coastal Tides
Tides refer to the rise and fall of a body of water, most commonly seen in the oceans. As the positions of Earth, Sun and Moon change in relation to each other, gravitational forces acting upon the oceans vary and it is these differences that cause fluctuations in the height of the sea.
These changes in water level are often strongest at the coastline and, on a beach, can be seen as an incoming tide (flooding tide), or as a receding (or an ebbing) tide. In the UK we mostly experience two high tides and two low tides each day. These occur approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes. Tidal range (the difference between the low and high water mark) has an important cycle approximately every two weeks, known as the spring-neap cycle. Spring tides have the largest tidal range, often exposing low water sand bars and leading to a faster incoming tide.
Tide depths vary by day and by night
At some beaches being aware of tide times and height is very important to avoid the risk of being stranded by the incoming tide. For this reason, Water Safety Scotland recommends that those using coastal water for recreation are aware of coastal tide times.
How to minimise the risk
The key advice from Water Safety Scotland is to make sure you check the tide tables so you don’t get cut off: check the Beach forecast and tide times at Met Office online to keep yourself as safe as possible and minimise the chance of being stranded.