Fundamentals
No activity can be made completely risk-free.
Risks imposed on non-participants and over which they have little or no awareness or control, can only be accepted if they are very low. The principle of the voluntary acceptance of risk - no nasty surprises
All the benefits of water-related activities will be taken into account when making the balanced judgement of whether risks are acceptable or further risk control measures are necessary. These benefits will include amongst others health and fitness, access to the countryside and coast, social inclusion, economic development, disability access and sporting objectives
As above, all the disbenefits and costs of water-related activity will similarly be taken into account.
These include provision of rescue services, access restrictions, transfer to riskier activities (e.g. swimming in docks when pools close)
As far as possible, avoid restricting access to water spaces or facilities.
Look ahead by assessing the risks that can be foreseen.
Learn from the past.
Records of accidents, near-misses and ill-health, together with reports from the participants inform present day decision-making
As far as possible, avoid additional regulatory controls.
These should only be considered where accident rates are high, multiple casualties occur, children or elderly or disabled persons are involved, the risk is unclear to participants or affects non-participants (i.e. an involuntary risk).
