By signing up to Autism NI’s Sea Dip, you have agreed to the below ‘Conditions of Entry’.
• By paying the registration fee and signing up, I am confirming that I am physically fit and in good health to safely take part in Autism NI’s Sea Dip. I have no known condition that would affect the ability to safely complete the challenge or would cause a risk of danger to myself or others. If I do have any health concerns, I have taken advice from a medical professional before participating.
• I have read the safety guidance provided around safe practice in the sea.
• I acknowledge that I am participating in this event at my own risk and that Autism NI cannot be held liable for any injury, accident, loss, or damage caused or sustained before, during, or after the event, as a result of my participation. In addition, Autism NI cannot be held liable for any changes made to the event for safety reasons, or as otherwise planned through circumstances beyond their control.
• I understand that I am responsible for my own safety and my own actions (including the safety of my possessions) whilst undertaking this challenge.
• I understand I must be accompanied by a responsible adult if I’m under the age of 18, to participate in Autism NI’s Sea Dip.
• I give permission for Autism NI to use my photograph and other media such as film on Autism NI’s promotional material and publications, for which it may be suitable.
By taking part in a cold water dip, it is important to be prepared and take extra precautions. Here are some things you will need to consider:
• Warm Clothes: Have warm, dry clothing, including a hat and gloves, readily available for after the dip. Also bring a towel or a dry robe if you have one to use straight after the dip.
• Changing facilities: Crawfordsburn Country Park has changing and toilet facilities on site.
• Warm Drinks: Bring a warm drink and snacks to help with re-warming.
• Mobile Phone: If you were wanting to take photos or bring your mobile phone, carry this is a waterproof pouch. It is your responsibility where you leave your belongings.
• Emergency Contacts: Inform friends or family of your plans and let them know when you expect to be back.
Non-Refundable Fees:
Registration for the Sea Dup is non-refundable.
• Event Cancellation:
Autism NI may reserve the right to cancel this event due to unforeseen circumstances or unsafe conditions.
• Photography/Filming:
There will be a professional photographer at the event. If you do not want to be in any photos, please inform Autism NI before the event.
Safety Guidance:
Before you take part in the Sea Dip, everyone must read the guide and understand the safety of yourself and others.
You should avoid taking part in the Sea Dip if you have the following conditions:
• Pregnancy
• Asthma or other respiratory conditions (cold shock can make dipper hyperventilate as they get in)
• Heart conditions (cold water causes your heart rate and blood pressure to sharply increase and this can be dangerous for those who are at risk of heart failure or stroke)
• Those with high blood pressure.
Alcohol and Drugs:
Participation under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not allowed.
Supervision:
Children under 18 should be supervised by a responsible adult.
Risk Assessment:
Participants should assess their own ability and safety before entering the water.
Hypothermia
Source: https://www.active.com/articles/swimmers-avoid-hypothermia-by-knowing-the-signs
You must familiarise yourself with the signs of hypothermia and know what to do if someone you or someone you’re with becomes hypothermic.
Signs:
- Mild hypothermia – uncontrollable shivering and numbness, loss of simple coordination
- Moderate hypothermia – confusion and strange inebriated-like behaviour, slurred speech.
- Severe hypothermia – blue-gray skin, slow or halted breathing, loss of consciousness
If you begin to feel the effects of mild hypothermia count to 10 and then back to 1 over and over again. If you lose your train of thought or lose count exit the water and get help because you are slowly losing your mental capacity.
The onset occurs slowly so you have plenty of time to rationalize and prevent it from worsening. Once you exit, dry off and warm yourself in towels, sweats and a hat.
A severely hypothermic person will need medical attention. There will be first aid on site during the event. If someone has symptoms, it is important to keep them conscious and make sure they are dry and warm if waiting for medical attention.
Afterdrop - this can happen when your body temperature drastically drops when coming out of the water, so be aware of how you are feeling and how others act even after you are on land.
The key to preventing this is to warm up slowly and gradually. If you rush it by having a warm shower or bath you’ll likely faint as your temperature plummets along with your blood pressure.
DO NOT try exercise to warm your body up if you or someone else becomes hypothermic, the more you exert yourself the more energy and heat you burn – so sit down and wrap up.
Tides – Be aware of strong tides. If you would like further information on tides, you can build your knowledge here: https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/understanding-tidal-rivers-and-estuaries/
Remember when participating:
• Stay with the group and don’t go off on your own
• Get in slowly starting with the feet
• Bring warm drink, snacks rich in calories, wooly hats, towel, warm blanket, dry and comfortable clothes
• Get dry ASAP, wrap up warm and have a warm (not hot) drink and a sugary snack
• Be aware of others and recognise your own symptoms of hypothermia, act accordingly and seek medical attention if severe symptoms become evident.
• You can wear a wetsuit if you wish and if you have access to one this is recommended to acclimatise to the cold temperature
DO’S & DON’TS Source: outdoorswimmingsociety.com/festive-swims-dos-donts/
• Do ensure you are warm before the swim. Remove your warm clothing at the last minute (and especially your shoes – you lose lots of heat into the ground).
• Do go in feet first (not head first – you will involuntarily gasp when your body hits the water, and you don’t want to be under it when this happens).
• Do take special care in having your breathing under control before immersing your shoulders or swimming. The gasp reflex is involuntary and occurs as you enter the water. This gasp is followed one to three minutes’ hyperventilation, or very fast breathing, and a significant rise in heart rate. Both the gasp reflex and hyperventilation can result in you aspirating water (breathing it into your lungs). This can lead to panic and drowning. Some people like to stand waist deep, put their hands under the water, splash a little water on their cheeks, and wait for breathing to normalise. Others like to focus on the exhale, puffing air out, as they regularise their breathing.
• Do have low expectations of how long you’ll be in for or how far you’ll go. Keep as close to the shore as possible and with other participants.
• Do dry off and put on layers to keep you warm quickly. You may feel deceptively warm at this point, it’s 10 minutes after exit that you’re at your coldest, so you want to wrapped up and warming up by then.
• Do take more clothes for afterwards than before – a hat, gloves, warm socks/boots and windproof layer if it’s exposed are all likely to be appreciated.
• Do have a warm drink and some sugary snacks.
• Do warm up slowly, do some gentle walking if you feel okay. Increase the level of activity gradually if you wish, but stop if you feel unwell and sit down.
• Do consider doing a few acclimatising dips in the days and weeks prior to the dip. Acclimatisation reduces the physiological effects of the first seconds to minutes of entering cold water.
• Don’t take part if you have a fever.
• Don’t take part if you have a chest infection.
• Don’t jump or dive into deep water unless you know what you’re doing and are acclimatised to that level of cold.
• Don’t take part if you’ve been drinking alcohol, have a hangover, or have taken recreational drugs.
• Don’t stay in too long – as soon as you feel comfortably warm in the water it’s time to leave!
• Don’t have a hot shower or enter a hot room till you are comfortable, and certainly not while shivering. It’s okay to sit in a warmish room. Hot baths and showers bring blood back to the freezing surface of your skin quickly, chilling your core. Better to warm up slowly from the inside out.
