Don't jump into the unknown
Tombstoning is an activity which has occurred around the coast for generations, unfortunately over recent years it has gained attention for the wrong reasons, with a number of people killed or seriously injured. The title was adopted because of the way a person falls and plunges into deep water, in a similar way a stone would.
Why is it dangerous?
Tombstoning offers a high-risk, high-impact experience but it can have severe and life-threatening consequences. This is because:
- Water depths alter with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems.
- Submerged rocks may not be visible – these can cause serious injuries if you jump onto them.
- Debris from shipping, fishing vessels and as a result of vandalism could have been swept into or thrown into an area which was previously relatively safe.
- The shock of cold water can make it difficult to swim.
- Getting out of the water is often more difficult and dangerous than people realise.
- Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away
Who is harmed and what type of accidents happen?
In the last two years there have been 9 deaths and 18 serious injuries due to Tombstoning.
Picture provided courtesy of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Injuries and deaths as a result of tombstoning are a growing problem. Over the five year period 2004-2008 - 139 incidents required a rescue or emergency response, 12 of these ended in a fatality. We looked at 41 of the most serious cases in more detail, of these:
- Males were mostly involved (85%)
- Teens were involved in just over half the cases (55%), followed by those in their 20s (25%) with the remainder of incidents involving people aged 30-40 years-old.
- All of the known alcohol-related incidents involved males above 40-years-old (25% of all fatal incidents)
- Of the non-fatal incidents, spinal and limb injuries (both at 20%) were most commonly reported.
Many of the non-fatal incidents have resulted in life-changing injuries and they required significant resources from the rescue services. Young and older fathers were among the fatalities, along with at least three teenagers.
What can you do?
Don’t jump into the unknown. Consider the dangers before you take the plunge:
- Check for hazards in the water. Rocks or other objects may be submerged and difficult to see.
- Check the depth of the water. Remember tides can rise and fall very quickly. The difference in water depth between the peaks and troughs of waves can be many metres.
- As a rule of thumb, a jump of ten metres requires a depth of at least five metres.
- Never jump whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Check for access. It may be impossible or very difficult to get out of the water.
- Consider the risks to yourself and others. Conditions can change rapidly. Even if you are jumping safely, children may be watching and copy your actions.
Think before you jump. Don't let alcohol, drugs or peer pressure affect your judgement. If you jump when you feel unsafe or pressured, you probably won’t enjoy the experience.
The best way to learn about the risks involved and have a good experience is to try coasteering - a mix of scrambling, climbing, traversing and cliff jumping around the coast with a professional guide.
Picture provided courtesy of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Don't jump into the uknown
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- Tel: 01803 207975
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