Parking disc method promoted to improve open-water swimming safety
A simple yet effective safety tip for open-water swimmers is gaining attention during Fire Safety Week, as experts encourage the use of parking discs to prevent unnecessary search and rescue alerts.
The method involves writing key details on a parking disc—such as the swimmer’s name, estimated return time, and whether they are using a swim buoy—and placing it on top of clothes or equipment left on the shore. This signals to passersby that the owner is swimming and not in distress. Water safety expert Anne Hiltunen from the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH) highlights that the practice can help avoid false alarms, as rescue services occasionally receive calls about abandoned belongings when the owner is simply swimming (Iltalehti).
Hiltunen suggests that swimmers can also include contact details on the reverse side of the disc to provide further reassurance. Alternatively, a handwritten note with similar information can be left on a swimming bag. The idea has been well received among open-water swimming enthusiasts, with campaigns like Wisely on the Water and Fire Safety Week sharing the advice on social media. A Facebook post from the campaigns recommends: “Use a parking disc if you engage in open-water swimming and leave belongings on the shore. Write on the disc that you are swimming, your estimated return time, and information that you are using a swimmer’s buoy” (Ilta-Sanomat).
While the parking disc method can enhance safety, experts emphasize that the best practice is to swim with a companion and stay parallel to the shore. Informing others about a swimming trip in advance is also advised (Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti).