14 Dec 2016 Liam Day · Prevention of Future Deaths report Dorset
View report summary
Concerns raised 5 Lack of means to request help during climbing over deep water View source Dangerously low temperatures in coastal waters View source Failure to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when climbing over deep water View source Failure to leave specific location and return-time instructions for climbing activities View source Failure to use a safety line when climbing over deep water View source See 2 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
×
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. The report was sent to British Mountaineering Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of means to request help during 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.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to British Mountaineering Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Dangerously low temperatures in coastal waters
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.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to British Mountaineering Council; that does not assign responsibility.
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.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to British Mountaineering Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to leave specific location and return-time instructions for climbing activities
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.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to British Mountaineering Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to use a safety line 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.
” 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 Update guidance to warn climbers about dangerously low coastal-water temperatures and Cold Water Shock.
Verbatim wording from the response “3. The Regulation 28 Report notes the ‘dangerously low temperatures in coastal waters’ that climbers and others enjoying coastal activities may not be aware of. The BMC shares this concern and will make climbers aware of this serious risk in our guidance, including the phenomenon known as Cold Water Shock. The BMC will also raise this with guidebook writers.” Source location 2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
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 in guidance that climbers should tell others their plans and expected return time.
Verbatim wording from the response “6. The BMC’s reading of the report suggests to us that Liam telling others of his plans would unfortunately not have saved his life. Whilst not noted in the report, had Liam left a note of his plans his friends and family may have been spared some distress when he did not return, and the rescue services may have been able to focus their search more effectively.” Source location 2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
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 Raise the risks of dangerously low coastal-water temperatures and Cold Water Shock with guidebook writers.
Verbatim wording from the response “3. The Regulation 28 Report notes the ‘dangerously low temperatures in coastal waters’ that climbers and others enjoying coastal activities may not be aware of. The BMC shares this concern and will make climbers aware of this serious risk in our guidance, including the phenomenon known as Cold Water Shock. The BMC will also raise this with guidebook writers.” Source location 2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
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 Leaving plans with others would not have saved the climber's life, although it could reduce distress and improve search effectiveness.
Verbatim wording from the response “6. The BMC’s reading of the report suggests to us that Liam telling others of his plans would unfortunately not have saved his life. Whilst not noted in the report, had Liam left a note of his plans his friends and family may have been spared some distress when he did not return, and the rescue services may have been able to focus their search more effectively.” Source location 2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
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 Other members of a climbing party should be nearby to assist, because the guidance's golden rule is never to climb alone.
Verbatim wording from the response “4. A BMC article from 2014 notes one golden rule for deep water soloing, to never go alone. In our updated advice we will ensure that this vital message is brought to the fore.” Source location 2016-0402-Response-by-BMC
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
Open published response
Pin
Request correction
Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations