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Safety Tips at the Beach

Only swim between the red and yellow flags

Lifeguards have extensive training, experience and local knowledge at the patrolled beaches they work on.  Flags are placed at the safest swimming area on the beach.

Even strong swimmers should never stray from the flagged area.  Often it is not the initial swimmers outside the flagged area that get into trouble, it's the children who follow them out there, particularly on the edge of the safely marked areas.

So, remember to swim responsibly and safely and stay between the red and yellow flags.

Never swim or surf alone

The aquatic environment has inherent dangers that go with it.  These dangers increase in remote areas, and further still when bathing solo.

It only takes a small accident or a hit on the head for a tragedy to occur in the ocean.

So stay safe and stay together.

Raise an arm and raise the alarm

Trained Lifeguards will usually detect someone in trouble or approaching difficulty long before they know it themselves.

However, it is sometimes difficult for Lifeguards to gauge critical factors that may determine a rescue.  These are known better by the swimmer in need of assistance - fear, panic factor, physical ability and so on.

So don't wait, if you feel unsure, scared or need help, raise an arm and raise the alarm.

Always supervise children near water

The beach is a fun place at any age.  The aquatic environment however, can be a dangerous place.

Children under the age of 7 have little or no concept of safe or dangerous behaviour.

A good education of the dangers at the beach early in life is definitely the way to go.  The beach however, is not a place to learn from your mistakes.  A bad experience can turn a child away from water sport altogether.  That in itself would be a tragedy.

So, keep an eye on the little ones at all times and have a great family day at the beach.

Return to shore and re-enter

A long shore or literal current is one that moves parallel to the shoreline.

Although the current may not always lead to dangerous water, it usually does.

Instead of getting tired fighting the current to stay within the flags, return to shore and re-enter the flagged area at the end the current is coming from.

Read the signs know the conditions

Conditions change.  There are many signs or indicators that can help you understand the conditions on any particular day.

Most signs are symbolic and standard.  They generally point out dangers or hazards, for example, "beware of marine stingers" or "dangerous currents".

Additional signs may be placed on the beach to provide more detailed information.  Such as tide times, UV ratings, strong swimmers only, beware of rip to south etc.  These are hand written each day by Lifeguards on a white or chalkboard.

Further information still can be gained by talking to Ocean Lifeguards.  They are friendly and always ready to assist the public with any enquiry.

So, say G'day to one of our friendly Lifeguards and find out what you need to know at the beach.

Marine stingers suck

The most common marine stingers on the east coast of Australia are bluebottles and jellyfish.

Jellyfish are located at any depth in the ocean.  They can swim but are carried mainly by currents and tide.

Bluebottles are located on the surface of the water with tentacles beneath.  They are carried almost entirely by the wind.  Therefore wind direction is the all important factor in avoiding the nasty stings they inflict.

Warning signs are posted at patrolled beaches when either are present.

If you do get stung, the application of ice is the treatment.

Remember, bluebottles are more prevalent when the wind blows onshore.

Slip slop slap

Some of the biggest hazards in an aquatic environment have nothing to do with the surf.

UV rays are reflected and intensified hugely at the beach.

Both sand and water surfaces reflect and magnify these rays to make an often painful and sometimes deadly hazard.  Skin Cancer should not be ignored.

Protective clothing, sunscreen, a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses should all be worn.  Sun shelters are also a good idea.

So, cover you skin and cover yourself from cancer.

Learn about rips

A rip is seaward-moving water current.  After waves have broken and run to the shore, the accumulated water then moves away from the shore through a pathway of least resistance, usually the deepest point.  This moving pathway is called a rip.

Most seaward running rips normally end not far beyond the breaking waves.

If you get caught in a rip, staying calm is essential.  Strong swimmers should swim at an angle across the rip.  Struggling against the rip is a quick way to exhaustion and a step closer to panic and tragedy.

Alcohol and water don't mix

Swilling beer on the beach doesn't look cool.  It can also be illegal.

Alcohol can be attributed to a large number of fatal incidents during water activity.  It clouds judgement and impedes co-ordination to a huge extent, often with dire consequences.

The Aquatic Environment should be treated with respect.  The inherent dangers that go with it are recognized far better with a clear head.
 

Who patrols the beaches

Professional Lifeguards employed by Councils are paid to work 5-7 days each week on the majority of NSW popular beaches.  They are recognized as wearing long sleeved white shirts with blue collars and cuffs.  The word "LIFEGUARD" is printed in red block letters.  In some cases they wear red and yellow uniforms much the same as the volunteer Lifesavers.

Whichever uniform is worn, both volunteer Lifesavers and professional Lifeguards are at the ready to help you when you need it most.

Note:  Most Professional Ocean Lifeguards come from the volunteer Surf Life Saving movement.  The high standards of competency they display can be credited largely to hard working trainers in that organisation.

Dedicated volunteers at Bermagui, Tathra and Pambula Surf Life Saving Clubs train Bega Valley Council Lifeguards.  Donations at these clubs save lives and are much appreciated.

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