Sir

The article "A Year to Change the World" (Thursday 3 Jan), states that the Health and Safety Executive insists that there can be no outdoor swimming without a lifeguard. We make no such insistence; people are free to choose to swim in open water and take personal responsibility for their own safety. I enjoy doing this myself.

In places where managed open air swimming occurs our guidance recommends lifeguards are deployed, but this is a matter for risk assessment by those managing the facility, and depends on the particular circumstances in each case.

Yours faithfully

Justin McCracken
Deputy Chief Executive
Health and Safety Executive