Open Water Swimming Safety Guidelines: Buddy System, Current Reading, and Emergency Response

Introduction

Being a strong swimmer does not equal being safe in open water. Among drowning incidents in Taiwanese waters, a significant proportion of victims are adults who can swim—they underestimated rip currents, tides, or sudden physical exhaustion. The danger of open water is not about “not knowing how to swim,” but about “not understanding the water.”

Safety is always the first principle of open-water swimming. The following introduces, from a systematic perspective, the safety knowledge that open-water swimmers in Taiwan must master.

The Buddy System: The Most Important Safety Principle

The rule is simple: never go open-water swimming alone.

The core of the buddy system is not just “having someone with you,” but:

If you swim alone and suffer cramps, cardiac arrest, or become disoriented, no one will know—this is a fatal risk.

Local resources in Taiwan: Many open-water swimming communities (such as the Taiwan Open Water Swimming Association and city/county triathlon associations) regularly hold group training sessions. Joining these groups is the best way to find an in-water buddy.

Reading the Current: Understanding Dangerous Water Movements

Rip Currents

Taiwan’s eastern coast and northern rocky beaches all carry rip current risks. Rip currents are one of the most common causes of drowning in Taiwanese waters.

How to identify them:

• A band of water with a different surface color (usually darker or murkier)
• Surface foam drifting toward the open sea
• After waves break on shore, a clear “return channel” visibly flowing outward

How to respond:

• Do not swim directly back to shore against the rip current; it will exhaust you in vain
• Swim parallel to the shore (left or right) to get out of the rip current’s width (usually 10–30 meters)
• Once out, swim diagonally back to shore
• If you lack the strength, keep floating and wave your arms for help

Tidal Currents and Lake Currents

• Tidal currents: The Taiwan Strait is significantly affected by tides. Check the day’s tide timetable before heading out.
• Lake currents: In reservoirs and lakes such as Sun Moon Lake, the opening and closing of water intake and discharge gates can sometimes create unexpected currents. Always ask the organizer before a race.

Thermocline

Deep lakes (such as Sun Moon Lake) may develop a thermocline in summer: the surface is warm, but the water suddenly turns cold once you reach a certain depth. Rapidly passing through a thermocline while diving can trigger muscle cramps, so pay attention to your swimming depth.

Emergency Response Knowledge

Dealing with Cramps

The most common emergency in open water is leg cramps:

1. Stop swimming immediately and switch to treading water to stay afloat
2. Take deep breaths and stay calm (panic worsens cramps)
3. Straighten the cramped leg and pull your toes forcefully upward (or use your hands)
4. Once the cramp subsides, swim slowly toward shore
5. If the cramp persists, call for your buddy’s help

Bonking

Suddenly feeling completely weak during a long-distance swim:

• Roll onto your back and float to let your body rest
• Call for your buddy; do not keep swimming
• Use a tow float to rest while floating on the surface

Hyperventilation

Nervousness or the shock of cold water can cause hyperventilation, leading to dizziness and numbness in the hands and feet:

• Immediately roll onto your back and float, keeping your face in the air
• Deliberately slow your breathing rhythm: inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds
• Wait until your senses return before continuing, or call for your buddy’s help to get to shore

Pre-Entry Safety Checklist

• Inform shore personnel of your swimming plan (route, estimated time)
• Confirm that swimming is permitted in the water (many beaches in Taiwan have no-swimming signs)
• Observe the current and wave conditions for at least 5 minutes
• Identify emergency exit routes to shore
• Carry a tow float
• Waterproof phone pouch (with emergency contact numbers)
• Confirm that a buddy is accompanying you on shore or in the water

Practical Advice

• Do not swim when fatigued: A tired body faces a risk of accidents in open water that is several times higher than in a normal state.
• Learn the characteristics of local waters: When swimming in a new body of water for the first time, ask someone familiar with the location rather than assessing it by feel.
• Learn CPR: Fire departments across Taiwan’s cities and counties regularly offer free CPR courses. Every open-water swimmer should have basic first-aid skills.

Conclusion

The beauty of open-water swimming lies in the intimate contact it gives us with nature. But nature has no obligation to protect us—safety awareness, knowledge of water movements, and emergency response skills are how we take responsibility for ourselves and our companions. Taiwan has a rich swimming culture and resources. Let us use the right knowledge to make every swim safe and enjoyable.

Related Reading

• Open Water Safety Regulations: Taiwan Venues, Lifeguard Deployment, and Escort Swimming Rules
• Open Water Swimming Safety Guide: Dealing with Tides, Water Temperature, and Visibility
• Open Water Swimming Safety Guidelines: A List of Legal Swimming Waters in Taiwan
• Reading Open Water Currents: Use the Current When Favorable, Save Your Life When Against