Safety first is essentially a doctrine for bathers. Safety first in swimming is essentially a doctrine for bathers. The old saw, "Where there's life, there's hope," was never more aptly illustrated than at our popular seaside resorts, where hundreds of thousands of holiday-makers disport themselves in the waves. The bathers have no fear of drowning; they merely dread getting out of their depth, and being washed ashore, half-dead, by an unpropitious tide. Be the weather fine or foul, they enjoy themselves, and bathe in security. The coast-line of Great Britain is so long, and the number of bathing places so great, that the bathers must amount to many tens of thousands. The caution, therefore, "Beware of the deep!" is eminently seasonable, and, as far as possible, should be universally heeded. At some of our seaside stations, the water is shallow, and the bather can keep close in-shore, without risk. At others, the waves roll in heavily, and a good swimmer must put out to sea. But, in either case, let him be on his guard against venture too far. A cramp may seize him, and he perish; whereas, had he kept within his depth, he might have safely bathed, and come safely to land again. Be the water ever so calm, let no man swim beyond his knowledge. Let him bear in mind the old fable of the frog, who sought to emulate the ox, and leaped into the well.
Original dispatch: Is it safe to swim at England's bathing sites?