Tombstoning: What Lies Beneath

On a warm day, there’s nothing more tempting than open water.
Reservoirs in particular, can look calm, peaceful and inviting — the perfect place to cool off. But as we explore in the latest episode of Drip Feed, looks can be deceiving.
Beneath the surface, reservoirs are very different from rivers, lochs or the sea — and understanding those differences could save your life.

👉 Learn more about reservoir safety and hidden risks

Why reservoirs are different

Unlike natural bodies of water, reservoirs are working assets. They supply drinking water to homes and communities across Scotland, and that means they contain hidden infrastructure beneath the surface.
This can include:

• Pipework and concrete structures
• Steep, slippery edges
• Deep, cold water - even in summer

From above, it may look like a safe place to swim. But below the surface, conditions can change quickly and unpredictably.

👉 Find out more about why reservoirs are different and how to stay safe

 

The risks of tombstoning

One of the biggest risks we see around reservoirs is tombstoning — jumping from height into water.
It might look like fun, for kudos on your TikTok or other social media, but it’s what you can’t see that makes it dangerous.
You don’t know:

• What’s beneath the surface
• How deep the water really is
• How cold the water will be

Even from the same spot, one jump can be very different from the next.

👉 Read more about hidden dangers beneath reservoir water

Cold water shock

Another major risk is cold water shock.
Even on a warm day, reservoir water can be icy cold just below the surface. Entering cold water suddenly can cause:

• An involuntary gasp reflex
• Loss of muscle control
• Panic and disorientation
• This can happen to anyone - regardless of how strong a swimmer they are.

👉 Understand the impact of cold water shock and sudden immersion

Water safety isn’t just about swimming ability

Learning to swim is an essential life skill, and through our partnership with Scottish Swimming, the Learn to Swim programme has helped hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland build confidence in the water.
But confidence alone isn’t enough.
Water safety is about:

• Understanding your environment
• Spotting the risks
• Making safer choices

👉 Explore practical water safety advice for reservoirs

Simple ways to stay safe - key takeaways

Wherever you are around water:

• Stop and think – spot the dangers
• Stay together – never go alone
• Know what to do in an emergency – call 999 and ask for the fire brigade, or the coastguard if it’s the sea.

And at reservoirs, the safest choice is always to stay out of the water.

👉 Read the full water safety guidance and emergency advice

 

You can find out more below:

👉 Read more about Kirsty and the Darcey Sunshine Foundation charity

👉 For more information about water safety and the Water Safety Code  - Water Safety Scotland

👉 Watch or listen to more episodes of Drip Feed

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