Tow Float Safety: Why UK Wild Swimmers Use Them
Walk along the banks of the River Wye, stand at the edge of Windermere, or peer down at any busy lido on a warm August afternoon, and you will almost certainly spot them: bright orange, red, and yellow inflatable sacks trailing behind swimmers like cheerful signals to the world. Tow floats have become one of the most visible pieces of kit in UK wild swimming over the past decade, and for good reason. Whether you are paddling through the tidal pools of Cornwall, cutting through the dark peaty waters of a Scottish loch, or completing a charity swim across Lake Bala in North Wales, a tow float could genuinely save your life.
This guide covers everything you need to know about tow floats: what they are, why they matter in the specific context of UK open water, which organisations recommend them, how to choose the right one, and how to use them properly so that your time in the water stays safe and enjoyable.
What Is a Tow Float?
A tow float — sometimes called a swim buoy or safety sausage — is a brightly coloured inflatable device that attaches to a swimmer via a waist belt or ankle strap and trails behind them in the water. When deflated, it folds down to roughly the size of a packed lunch and weighs very little. When inflated, it bobs visibly at the surface even in choppy conditions, signalling to boat operators, paddleboarders, kayakers, and shore-based safety teams that a swimmer is in the water.
Most tow floats are made from high-visibility PVC or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), with TPU models generally being lighter, more packable, and more durable in cold water. They inflate via a dry bag valve, a standard blow valve, or — on premium models — a small CO2 cartridge for rapid deployment in an emergency.
Crucially, a standard tow float is not a personal flotation device (PFD). It will not hold an unconscious swimmer face-up in the water the way a lifejacket will. What it does do is make you visible, give you something to cling to if you are exhausted or in distress, and provide a dry storage compartment for your car keys, phone, and energy gels.
Why Are Tow Floats Particularly Important in UK Waters?
Swimming in the United Kingdom presents a specific set of challenges that make tow floats more than just a nice accessory. Understanding those challenges helps explain why so many experienced British wild swimmers treat them as non-negotiable.
1. Busy Inland Waterways and Navigation Channels
The UK has an extensive network of navigable rivers, canals, reservoirs, and lakes. The Environment Agency manages thousands of kilometres of inland waterways in England, and equivalent bodies such as Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Canals oversee their respective regions. Many of the most popular wild swimming spots — the Thames, the River Dart, Ullswater, Loch Lomond — are shared with motorised craft, sailing boats, kayaks, and rowing clubs.
Boat operators are looking ahead, not down. A swimmer’s head, even with a brightly coloured swim cap, can be astonishingly difficult to spot from the helm of a motorboat travelling at speed. A tow float rising 15–20 cm above the surface behind you dramatically increases your visibility. On the River Thames, for instance, where the Port of London Authority (PLA) issues guidance on swimmer safety, being seen is your primary line of defence against vessel strike.
2. Cold Water Shock and the Risk of Sudden Incapacitation
UK waters are cold by global standards. Even in high summer, the sea temperature around much of England averages between 15°C and 18°C. In Scotland, lochs fed by snowmelt rarely exceed 14°C even in July. The North Sea coast of Yorkshire and Northumberland is frequently colder still.
Cold water shock is a physiological response that occurs in the first 30–90 seconds of immersion in water below roughly 15°C. It triggers an involuntary gasp reflex, hyperventilation, a spike in heart rate and blood pressure, and in some cases cardiac arrest. The charity Swim England and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) have both made cold water shock a central part of their public safety messaging, particularly through the RNLI’s Float to Live campaign.
If cold water shock causes a swimmer to momentarily lose control, a tow float gives them something to grab. Clinging to a tow float while floating on your back — exactly as the RNLI advises — allows your breathing to stabilise before you attempt to swim or signal for help.
3. Unpredictable Tidal and River Conditions
Many of the UK’s most beloved wild swimming locations are subject to tidal influence. The sea lochs of the Scottish Highlands, the tidal rivers of Devon and Cornwall such as the Dart and the Fowey, the estuaries of Pembrokeshire — all of them can change dramatically within an hour. A swimmer caught by a faster-than-expected tidal current or river spate may find themselves exhausted and far from where they intended to exit the water.
A tow float allows a swimmer in difficulty to pause, hold the float, and rest without sinking, buying critical time for self-rescue or for assistance to arrive.
4. Limited Lifeguard Coverage
Unlike leisure centres and lidos, the vast majority of UK wild swimming venues have no lifeguard provision. The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), which produces the UK’s Water Incident Database (WAID), consistently finds that open water drowning accounts for the majority of accidental water fatalities in the UK each year. In 2022, the NWSF reported that rivers, lakes, and the sea were the sites of more than 200 accidental drowning deaths in the UK.
Without a lifeguard watching from a high chair, you are your own first line of safety. Visibility to other water users and the ability to self-rescue are your best tools, and a tow float contributes meaningfully to both.
What UK Organisations Say About Tow Floats
A growing number of UK bodies now formally recommend or require tow floats in certain contexts.
Swim England and British Swimming
Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, includes tow floats in its open water swimming guidance and recommends them for all solo open water swimmers. British Swimming, which governs elite competition, requires safety equipment including buoys at sanctioned open water events.
The RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution does not mandate tow floats but strongly recommends them for sea swimmers and open water swimmers as part of its broader safety messaging. The RNLI’s Float to Live campaign specifically teaches that floating — rather than thrashing or attempting to swim immediately — saves lives in cold water, and a tow float supports exactly that response.
The Outdoor Swimming Society
The Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS), founded by Kate Rew and one of the most influential organisations in the UK wild swimming community, recommends tow floats in its safety advice and features them prominently in its guides and event safety plans. The OSS Wild Swimming Guide and Rew’s book Wild Swim have introduced hundreds of thousands of people to open water swimming in Britain, and the organisation’s safety culture has helped normalise tow float use across the community.
Event Organisers and Race Committees
Many organised UK open water swims now require tow floats as mandatory kit. Events such as the Great North Swim in Windermere, the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, and various SwimTrek adventures include tow floats on their mandatory equipment lists. If you are considering entering an organised event, check the kit list carefully — arriving without a required tow float can mean disqualification from the start.
Choosing the Right Tow Float for UK Conditions
Not all tow floats are alike, and the sheer range of options available from UK retailers — including Swim Secure, Zone3, Drybag Swim, and Aqua Sphere — can feel overwhelming at first. Here is what to consider.
Size and Buoyancy
Tow floats are generally sold in small, medium, and large sizes, ranging from around 8 litres to 30+ litres of volume. A larger float provides more buoyancy and a bigger dry bag compartment, but creates more drag in the water. For short open water sessions in sheltered lakes, a smaller float (8–15 litres) is usually sufficient. For longer sea swims, estuaries, or rough-water environments, a larger float (20 litres or more) gives greater peace of mind and more gear storage.
Colour
High visibility is the primary function of a tow float. Orange and red are the most commonly used colours because they contrast well against the greens, blues, and greys of UK freshwater and coastal environments. Some brands offer yellow and pink options. Avoid dark colours — they defeat the object entirely.
Dry Bag Compartment
Most tow floats double as dry bags, which is enormously practical for wild swimming where you may be leaving your clothes on a riverbank or rocky beach. Check the waterproof rating. Many models advertise dry bag storage but are only splash-resistant rather than fully waterproof. If you plan to store a phone or car key fob, look for a model with a confirmed IPX8 waterproof rating or use a separate inner dry bag liner.
Attachment System
The float connects to your body via a waist belt or ankle strap with a leash. Waist attachments are most common and allow the float to follow naturally behind you as you swim. Ankle attachments sit lower and some swimmers prefer them for front crawl, though they can snag in weeds. Check that the quick-release buckle on the waist belt can be operated with one hand — in an emergency, you need to be able to detach the float rapidly if it becomes snagged.
Inflation Method
Most budget and mid-range tow floats inflate by mouth via a standard blow valve. This takes 20–30 long breaths and is perfectly adequate. Premium models from brands like Swim Secure include a roll-top dry bag system that seals with air trapped inside — no blowing required. Some specialist safety floats include CO2 cartridge inflation for emergency deployment, though these are heavier and more expensive.
Moving Forward
Once you have the fundamentals in place, the possibilities open up considerably. The UK offers fantastic opportunities for anyone interested in this hobby, and with the right foundation you will be well placed to make the most of them.
