Why I Always Carry a Knife When Wild Swimming
By Gareth, Founder and Swim Guide at Large Outdoors
As someone who’s spent years in and around the water – from scuba diving to wild swimming – I’m always surprised by how few swimmers carry a knife.
In the world of watersports like diving, kayaking, paddleboarding or sailing, a knife is seen as essential safety gear. Yet among wild swimmers, it’s rarely talked about. So, I want to share why I believe carrying a knife should be part of every wild swimmer’s kit.
Safety First: Why It Matters
There are several risks in open water that are easy to overlook until you’re in the middle of a situation. A knife can be the difference between a close call and a serious emergency.
Here’s what it can help with:
Tangled in Fishing Line or Nets: Discarded monofilament fishing line is incredibly strong and almost invisible in the water. It can easily wrap around a wrist, ankle or neck.
Ropes and Buoys: In coastal locations, you might encounter ropes from lobster pots, mooring buoys or other boat equipment.
Submerged Vegetation: Certain freshwater areas have thick weed growth, and in rare cases, this can entangle limbs or become panic-inducing.
Tow Float or Kit Snagged: If your tow float leash or wetsuit strap gets caught, you may need to free yourself quickly.
A compact, sharp knife can cut you free if things go wrong. It’s a simple addition that can prevent serious trouble.
Know the Law – Carrying a Knife Responsibly
Before we go any further, a quick word on knife laws.
Always check and follow UK laws regarding the sale, ownership and public carrying of knives. There are strict rules in place, and it’s your responsibility to understand them. Carrying a knife should be for safety purposes only, and it should be stored sensibly when not in use.
What I Carry – Knife Types and When
Coming from a diving background, I’ve always carried a large dive knife. Mine is ankle-mounted and designed for cutting through rope and fishing tackle – I use it when I’m swimming in the sea or in remote locations where the risk of entanglement is higher.
That said, walking around your local dip spot with a dive knife strapped to your leg might not go down well. So for most swims, I carry something much more compact.
I highly recommend the Whitby Sprint EDC Pocket Knife – https://www.whitbyandco.co.uk/collections/knives/products/whitby-sprint-edc-pocket-knife
It’s lightweight, folds neatly, and comes in bright colours (trust me, you’ll be glad of that if you ever drop it – I speak from experience!). You can easily tie it to your tow float alongside your whistle or tuck it inside your wetsuit sleeve.
Just remember to remove it before peeling off your wetsuit – again, I’ve learned that the hard way.
Where to Keep It During Your Swim
Tow Float: Use the external bungee cord to secure your knife, ideally near your whistle for quick access.
Wetsuit Sleeve: Tuck it up your forearm securely so it stays in place.
Ankle Mount: Ideal for coastal or deeper swims with a higher chance of encountering fishing gear.
Wherever you keep it, make sure you can access it quickly and with either hand.
Final Thought: Add It to Your Kit
This isn’t about being dramatic or overprepared. It’s about being sensible. The chances of needing a knife are low – but if you ever do, you’ll be glad you had it.
We’ve now added a suitable knife to our wild swim kit list, and I encourage all swimmers to do the same.
Be safe, swim smart, and always respect the water.
– Gareth
