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Module 1 – Understanding Open Water Risks
What you will learn
Participants understand how open water differs from pool swimming and can identify the main risks before entering the water.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Name the key open water hazards across seven risk categories
- Complete a basic pre-swim risk check using the STOP–LOOK–PLAN framework before every session
- Explain why local conditions must be checked individually for each site and each visit
- Understand why a good open water swimmer is not only someone who can swim well — but someone who can read and respond to a changing environment
⏱ 30–45 minutes
Young swimmers · Recreational swimmers · Coaches · Club staff
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Why open water is different
Open water swimming takes place in changing natural environments such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal areas. Unlike a swimming pool, open water conditions can change quickly and may include:
Currents and waves
Wind
Sudden depth changes
Lower visibility
Boat traffic
Slippery entry points
Variable water quality
A safe swimmer is not only someone who can swim well. A safe open water swimmer is someone who can assess the environment, make cautious decisions, swim within their ability, stay visible, stay connected to others, and leave the water before conditions become unsafe.
The difference between a pool and open water is not just physical — it is also about mindset. In a pool, the environment is controlled. In open water, the swimmer must take responsibility for reading and responding to a constantly changing environment.
Seven risk categories
Every open water session and site assessment should address the following seven risk areas. The risk profile can shift within minutes — continuous monitoring is essential.
Water movement
What to check: Currents, waves, river flow, boat wash, wind direction.
Do not fight strong water movement. Choose supervised areas and stay within planned boundaries.
Temperature
What to check: Cold water, sudden temperature changes, long exposure.
Enter gradually where appropriate, use suitable equipment, and leave before becoming too cold or tired.
Visibility & depth
What to check: Murky water, sudden drop-offs, underwater objects.
Never dive into unknown water. Enter slowly and only in permitted areas.
Weather
What to check: Wind, storms, lightning risk, reduced visibility.
What to check: Slippery banks, rocks, mud, steep edges, limited exits.
Pre-swim risk check: STOP · LOOK · PLAN
Before every open water session, use this three-step framework. It takes only a few minutes and can prevent the most common open water incidents.
“What risks can be seen or expected?”
Important: The pre-swim risk check is not a one-time activity. Conditions can change during a session. Coaches should monitor continuously and be ready to stop the session at any point if conditions deteriorate.
Coach & trainer notes
Guidance for session delivery
Recommended for coaches, trainers, instructors and club staff
- Use photos or maps of local sites in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia to help participants identify real risks.
- Ask participants to compare a pool session and an open water session: what stays the same and what changes?
- For minors or inexperienced swimmers, keep all activities land-based or in supervised controlled water settings unless qualified supervision and safety arrangements are in place.
- End the module with a short risk assessment exercise for a selected swimming location.
Mini activity: Risk mapping
Group activity
Map the risks before you swim
Show participants a photo, map or description of a local lake, river or coastal swimming area. Ask them to mark: safe entry point, safe exit point, no-swim zones, possible current direction, possible boat route, emergency meeting point and location of the nearest help point.