Background: Level Water’s 24-Hour Wild Swim Relay
Level Water’s 24-hour open water relay events raise funds to provide 1-to-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities. Teams of 1–8 swimmers take hourly turns across the full 24 hours, with up to 500 people taking part.
The event welcomes swimmers aged 14+ with a wide range of abilities. The focus is on endurance, teamwork and inclusion rather than competition. Because the relay runs through the night, with cold water, changing weather and diverse participant needs, strong safety and medical support are essential. Level Water ensures a full water-safety and medical team are on site throughout.
The Partner: Square Knot
Square Knot is a UK provider specialising in event medical cover, water rescue and pre-hospital care. Their clinicians and rescue professionals—many with frontline ambulance experience—are equipped to deliver first aid, trauma care, water rescue and on-site medical oversight.
This skillset makes them an ideal partner for a demanding endurance event such as the Level Water 24-hour relay.
Since 2023 Square Knot has been supplying medical cover to all of Level Water Wild Swim Relays in the UK.
Implementation: How Square Knot Supported the Event
Square Knot provided fully integrated medical cover throughout the 24-hour swim, including:
Medical facilities and equipment
On-site first-aid posts with professional medical kits, AEDs, oxygen, patient monitors and communications gear to support both routine care and emergency interventions.
Continuous day-and-night coverage
Clinicians monitored swimmers through the entire 24 hours, delivering welfare checks, guidance on cold exposure, fatigue and hydration, and support for adults, young people and swimmers with disabilities.
Embedded teamwork
The medical team worked directly alongside Level Water staff, volunteers and the Swim Safety crew to form a unified safety system. This ensured rapid support for any swimmer experiencing injury, cold, exhaustion or medical issues—on land or in the water. Participants frequently commented on how safe and supported they felt throughout.
Impact and Benefits
Stronger safety and confidence
With qualified medical support on hand, swimmers and organisers felt more secure, enabling people of all abilities to take part with confidence.
Prevention as well as response
Square Knot’s clinicians helped reduce incidents through proactive welfare monitoring, early intervention and guidance.
Smooth, coordinated event delivery
By embedding within the volunteer and water-safety structure, the Square Knot team supported efficient communication and seamless safety management.
Enhanced event reputation and inclusivity
Professional medical cover reassured participants and helped promote the event as welcoming, inclusive and well-managed—boosting both credibility and fundraising potential.
Testimonial
“Square Knot are an invaluable part of our Wild Swim Relay team. They’re consistently professional, dependable, and bring a calm confidence to every situation… We’re so grateful for their energy, commitment, and care.” – Lucy, Operations Director – Level Water
Lessons & Recommendations
- Choose medically qualified teams experienced in both rescue and clinical care.
- Integrate medical staff into the core event structure, not as an add-on.
- Prioritise prevention—fatigue, cold-water guidance and hydration matter as much as emergency capability.
- Use reliable equipment and clear communication systems, especially for night operations.
- Communicate safety measures clearly to build trust with participants and supporters.
Conclusion
The partnership between Level Water and Square Knot highlights how expert medical and rescue cover elevates the safety, inclusiveness and confidence of 24-hour open water events. By embedding experienced clinicians within the operational team, Square Knot supports both emergency preparedness and continuous welfare—allowing swimmers to focus fully on the challenge and the cause.
Square Knot 