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Open Water Swimming with Dr Heather Massey (Documentary) | NI Science Festival
Faced with closed swimming pools and looking for something new to do, many people have been dipping their toes in the sea in greater and greater numbers, and approving of what open water swimming has to offer.
During lockdown the rates of cold water swimming have rocketed, but is it as good for us as we think?
In this film we hear from Dr Heather Massey, a swimmer and a researcher at the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth about what happens to our bodies when we swim in cold water. She has 15 years of experience in research in Extreme Environments, with a special interest in the physiological effects of cold water immersion, sea survival and cold water swimming.
We also talk to a variety of local swimmers, dippers, and coaches from Strangford Lough, Helens Bay, South Down and Islandmagee.
RNLI SAFETY ADVICE
Choose a familiar location and never swim alone
- Take a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch
- Take plenty of warm clothes for before and after your dip, along with a hot drink to help you warm up again
- Wearing a wetsuit will help increase your buoyancy and reduce the chances of suffering cold water shock
- Be seen - wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float
- If you get into trouble remember 'Float to Live', by leaning back in the water, extending your arms and legs
For more info on water safety visit:
www.nidirect.gov.uk/news/risk...
wildswim.wordpress.com/water-...
For coaching visit:
/ streamlinedopenwatersw...