Near Burry Port on the coast of South Wales, Jan Coles was taking her four-year-old staffie cross, Blodwen, for a walk when the dog got into the water and continued to run. Blodwen was 60 to 70 meters from the coast in a matter of seconds as the current quietly pulled her farther out with each passing second. Like nearly every dog owner, Jan’s first instinct was to follow her. She didn’t that self-control, along with everything the RNLI did that day, most likely saved two lives rather than just one.
Most beachgoers are unaware of how frequently this situation occurs along the UK coastline. Since 2011, the RNLI has recorded more than 200 deaths among beachgoers, many of which happened when someone dove into the water in an attempt to save a dog. The weight of the numbers is somewhat blunt. Dogs frequently return, even those who are exhausted and in a panic. Often, those who follow them into rip currents fail.
The invisible issue is rip currents. They move in narrow channels and pull outward from the shore with a force that surpasses even a strong swimmer; they do not make their presence known with white water or visible turbulence. When there is a rip beneath the surface, the sea may appear almost glassy. Once caught, dogs usually fight until they are exhausted before figuring out how to get away. Humans frequently make the same error at much higher costs because they believe they are simply swimming hard enough.
Debs Walker, who has worked with the Portscatho Coastguard Rescue Team in Cornwall for 11 years, has witnessed major mishaps involving both dogs and their owners. To put it simply, coast guard teams are prepared for these kinds of situations through training and equipment. Bystanders are not. She has stated, “We would much rather you called 999 and asked for the coastguard rather than put yourself in danger”. It’s the kind of advice that seems clear until you’re watching your dog float farther away from the waterline.
Whether you’re on the coast or at an inland waterside location where fire and rescue would respond instead, it’s best to call 999 and ask for the Coast Guard or 112 if you’re unsure. The next thing that really helps is to keep calling the dog’s name while remaining visible on the shore. It may seem overly straightforward, but by providing a confused animal with a target to swim toward, rescue personnel can locate you both in the same location.
Before anyone gets to the water‘s edge, they should develop a more comprehensive set of habits. It’s simple to check tide times, but it’s actually underappreciated. Many incidents involve dogs or walkers being cut off not by currents but by a rising tide that blocks a return path. What seems safe at low tide may not be two hours later due to the rapid changes in sea conditions. Before any paws even come into contact with sand, Dogs Trust Canterbury advises checking conditions. This may seem fussy, but you’ll be surprised at how few people actually do it.
The risk of seawater itself is often disregarded. Anyone who has seen a dog drink it will say that they will do so with joy, but even a small amount can result in vomiting, diarrhea dehydration. Keep fresh water with you. On a windy day when neither you nor the dog are especially thirsty, this is less negotiable than it might appear. Since salt also sticks to fur, cleaning the dog’s ears after a swim is more important than most owners realize because water sitting in the ear canal is a surefire way to get an infection.
The calculus is a little different for cliff walks, but the lesson is the same. When a dog chases a bird, it doesn’t notice a cliff edge; it just keeps running until it doesn’t. Recognizing that impulse and forward vision don’t always coexist in a spaniel mid-pursuit is why it’s not overly cautious to keep dogs on a lead near cliff paths. Dogs are frequently rescued from cliffs by the Coast Guard; this is not an uncommon occurrence.
Observing how these incidents typically play out, it’s amazing how quickly a perfectly normal beach stroll can turn into something else. The sea doesn’t rise gradually. Afterward, Jan Coles expressed his gratitude to the RNLI. Blodwen was cold and exhausted. Jan was unsettled but secure. The result was favorable. Sometimes it isn’t.
Beyond fresh water and common sense, the most valuable thing a dog owner can bring to the coast is the readiness to ask for assistance rather than offer it.
i) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpw9y72x7yvo
ii) https://dogfriendlycornwall.co.uk/keep-your-dog-safe-at-the-beach/
iii) https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paws-your-life-dog-walkers-12563252