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The Thames is notoriously dangerous, especially at ebbtide, when the flow just sweeps people along and pulls them under. It's been discussed on here several times, mainly in the Swimming thread, I think.
There are stories of people drowning pretty much every year, and many I guess you don't hear about. Absolutely not recommended to get in unless you really know what you're doing.
This happened a few days ago, horrible story:
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It is relatively deep, cold and tidal.
Strong undercurrents can drag you under, and it's pretty erratic near bridges due to the supports creating turbulent water (under the surface)(IANAE)
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Down that end basically if you fall in you die....unless you are either a) a really great swimmer or b) you get picked up by a rescue boat or similar very quickly.
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I've taken an inadvertent dip in the Thames twice, both times around Chiswick Bridge. It was deeply unpleasant and quite dicey, and I suspect it would be worse in Central London.
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Oliver Schick
DethBeard
Howard
Brommers
@Sumo
I was reading this article about someone jumping in to the Thames to try and save a person who fell off London Bridge
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/25/father-hails-hero-son-believed-to-have-died-trying-to-save-woman-from-thames
obviously a tragedy but I was wondering if the Thames is especially dangerous? I can't find much online about how fast it flows or anything.