Recurring concern

Inadequate flotation protection for people entering deep open water

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First reported 14 Dec 2016•Latest report 16 Dec 2019

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures of controls specifically intended to provide, require or make available suitable personal flotation or buoyancy equipment for people entering deep open water, including swimmers and participants in water-based activities.

Not included

  • Excludes general open-water hazards, cold-water risks, warnings, lighting, rescue services and emergency response where flotation protection is not the deficient control.
  • Excludes lifejacket or flotation controls limited to occupants of watercraft where no comparable risk to people entering deep open water is identified.
  • Excludes failures involving personal protective equipment for land-based activities or unrelated water-safety equipment.
  • Excludes the occurrence of drowning, hypothermia or other harm where no continuing deficiency in flotation protection is asserted.
Reports
2

Distinct published reports

Individual concerns
2

A report can raise multiple concerns

Date range
2016–2019

First to latest report issue date

Stated actions
2

Described in published responses

Reports over time

Reports over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

British Mountaineering Council1
Peligoni Operations Ltd1
Royal Yachting Association1

Concerns and responses across reports

Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Inner West London

    AI-generated summary

    Henry Huw Duncan Campbell · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Henry Huw Duncan Campbell drowned after failing to resurface while free-diving in deep seawater off Zakynthos, Greece, on 6 August 2017. The report raised concerns about the availability of deep-water rescue equipment, watchtower manning records, and monitoring of swimmers as well as sea-craft.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Unavailability of a buoy and line for swimmers in sea areas more than 10 m deep

    Wider context from the report

    “2. That a buoy and line should be recommended for the use by all swimmers, including staff, who swim in an area of the sea more than 10 m deep. ”

    Source location

    Henry Huw Duncan Campbell · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  2. Dorset

    AI-generated summary

    Liam Day · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Liam Day left home to go climbing on 15 June 2016 and failed to return; his body was recovered from the water on 28 June 2016, with the cause of death given as hypothermia following a fall into the sea. The report raised concerns about his lack of safety equipment, warm clothing, means of seeking help and specific plans, and highlighted the dangers of cold coastal water to people participating in water-based climbing activities.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when climbing over deep water

    Wider context from the report

    “Liam Day was an experienced climber. He appears to have become interested in a relatively new climbing phenomenon of Deep Water Soloing (DWS). There are inherent risks of falling when climbing and it appears that the view held by those pursuing DWS is that by climbing over deep water you will reduce the risks of seriously injuring yourself should you fall. This is true of the deceased as there was no trauma found to his body on examination. I found the following preliminary issues contributed to his death:- 1. He was climbing with no safety line 2. He was not wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid 3. He was not wearing clothing that offered no warmth in the water 4. He was not on his own 5. He had no means of requesting help such as a whistle, a waterproof phone or waterproof marine VHF radio 6. He had left no specific instructions as to where he was intending to climb and what time he would be home The main issue I wish to highlight are the dangerously low temperatures in coastal waters to those enjoying sports/pastimes/hobbies and who are unaware of the same. This is the reason I am including the RYA in this report. During the course of the inquest evidence was given that the sea temperature on 15/6/16 was around 12-13 degrees Celsius. The deeper one descends into water the colder one gets. The surface of the water is cooled by sea breeze. This temperature is in stark contrast to the air temperature found above the water and to the core body temperature of someone carrying out physical activity above the deep water. The consequence of someone falling into deep water who is unprepared for such an eventuality is panic, shortness of breath. Individuals can experience Cold Water Shock Syndrome. The pathologist in this case explained how in a relatively short period of time (taking into account the presence of all factors detailed above) he died as a result of hypothermia. It is the speed with which one can succumb to such a condition that I wish to highlight. ”

    Source location

    Liam Day · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Refresh website safety information pages, prominently featuring cold water shock guidance.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Within the sports that the RYA represents, the value of wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and appropriate clothing is reasonably widely recognised. Nevertheless, the RYA has recently refreshed the safety information pages on its website (www.rya.org.uk/go/safety) and cold water shock appears prominently on the first page (under “look after yourself”). The RYA will be highlighting this safety information to its members through various electronic communications in the early part of this year, as well as in the RYA’s annual Safety Advisory Notice.”

    Source location

    2016-0402-Response-by-RYA
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Highlight safety information to members through electronic communications and the annual Safety Advisory Notice.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Within the sports that the RYA represents, the value of wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and appropriate clothing is reasonably widely recognised. Nevertheless, the RYA has recently refreshed the safety information pages on its website (www.rya.org.uk/go/safety) and cold water shock appears prominently on the first page (under “look after yourself”). The RYA will be highlighting this safety information to its members through various electronic communications in the early part of this year, as well as in the RYA’s annual Safety Advisory Notice.”

    Source location

    2016-0402-Response-by-RYA
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid while climbing is impractical and may increase fall and neck-trauma risks.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “2. Wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid whilst climbing would not be practical, and due to its size and weight would likely increase the probability of the climber falling. A buoyancy aid could also present the added risk of neck trauma, as the climber would decelerate faster than if they were not wearing a buoyancy aid.”

    Source location

    2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Mountaineering falls outside the respondent’s remit, so it does not undertake responsive safety work for that activity.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Although the RYA has no remit for mountaineering it seems to us that a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and the sort of clothing that offers warmth in water would present a significant hazard to the wearer while climbing, particularly “Deep Water Soloing”, and in fact increase the likelihood of the wearer falling.”

    Source location

    2016-0402-Response-by-RYA
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lifejackets, buoyancy aids and warm clothing could create significant hazards during climbing, increasing the likelihood of falling.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Although the RYA has no remit for mountaineering it seems to us that a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and the sort of clothing that offers warmth in water would present a significant hazard to the wearer while climbing, particularly “Deep Water Soloing”, and in fact increase the likelihood of the wearer falling.”

    Source location

    2016-0402-Response-by-RYA
    Page 1 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response
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Data last updated 7 September 2026