LIKE several contemporaries, I have swum in the Severn at all seasons in every kind of weather and at all temperatures.

My generation had the advantage of expert tuition in river swimming but when I read the pronouncements of today's "authorities" I often wonder what possible expertise they can claim.

Nevertheless, I agree that leaping from bridges, diving into dark water and underwater swimming are dangerous practices and I do not recommend them.

Unquestionably, the greatest hazard lies in a natural instinct to swim toward the nearest solid ground if difficulties arise. What may seem deceptively near is often unreachable by reason of an intervening current. The golden rule, which I cannot repeat often enough, is "never fight against or across a current".

Turn downstream and ride the current, gradually easing to the edge and it will carry one to the safety of shallow water. The exception is at the approach to a weir. It may seem a terrifying prospect but keep calm, conserve energy and on reaching the weir it is easy to mount it and wade to safety.

Accidents can happen to all river users and many lives have been lost because of a misguided notion that adequate standards of swimming can be attained in a static pool.

Only in the river itself can one experience moving water and acquire survival skills - preferably with experienced guidance.

JOHN HINTON,

Worcester.