Beach Safe this summer

Written by a lifeguard

Already this summer is looking like a busy one on the coast with multiple emergencies already taking place on UK beaches despite the fact schools have only just broke up.

Every year emergency services respond to thousands of incidents on the UK coast, but a huge percentage of these incidents could have been avoided with a little bit of knowledge and extra care.  So if you are heading to the coast this summer, be informed about the dangers and follow these simple tips.

In 2015, emergency services helped more that 26,000 people on the UK coast while lifeguards aided more than 18,000 individuals in difficulty on some of the UK's busiest beaches.  Most of the people they helped were children and the most common type of incident, counting of all ages, involved rip currents.  A rip current, or rip as it's known, is a current that flows out to sea and can occur at any

beach with waves meaning most of the UK is susceptible.  In fact rips account for approximately 80% of surf rescues worldwide and are the leading cause of rescue.  Rips can be both common and unpredictable in their nature.  Some beaches regularly get rips forming in the same location and therefore are generally easily avoided.  However, some rips can also be temporary, unpredictable and move causing mass rescues to occur within their short life span.  This is why lifeguards provide safe swim zones (red and yellow flags).  These don't only represent the safest part of the beach to swim at but also enables the lifeguard service to concentrate the majority of its assets meaning if you were to get into trouble you are likely to be spotted and rescued much quicker.

TOP TIPS FOR BEACH GOERS

1. Swim at a beach patrolled by lifeguards:

This is probably the single most important message currently being repeated across the globe.  This is because you are far less likely to drown on a lifeguarded beach not to mention the immediate availability of services such as first aid and basic advice.

But it's not just a case of visiting a lifeguarded beach to stay safe.  Once there you must find and use the red-and-yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them as this is the safest part of the beach thanks to the lifeguard patrols presence. 

Not all beaches have lifeguards.  To find your nearest lifeguarded beach during the summer visit; http://www.goodbeachguide.co.uk/

Last year more that 15 million people visited a lifeguarded beach in the UK

2. Look for information and follow advice

Find out about the beach before you visit and don't forget to check the weather and tide times, this can usually done online.  Ask at the local tourist information centre or use the Good Beach Guide website to find out about facilities.

When you arrive at the beach, read and obey the safety signs.  These will provide you with more information, help you identify hazards and advise you of the safest place to swim.

3. Never swim alone

Swimming alone is dangerous.  Should something happen to you there is no-one immediately on hand to support you or raise the alarm.  Whenever you go swimming, take a friend and always let someone on shore know where you are going and how long you will be.

4. If you get in trouble in the sea ...

Stay calm and do not panic.  Raise one arm in the air and signal for/shout for help.  This way you are easily recognisable by the lifeguards and or members of the public but not waiting vital energy needed to stay afloat.

5. If you see someone else in trouble...

Tell the lifeguard immediately.  If you cannot find a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.  Avoid entering the water to rescue the person as you too could become a casualty.

6. Never use inflatable's in strong winds

Inflatable's are a lifeguards worse nightmare.  Typically operated by small children these lightweight toys are easily blown away in even a slight breeze that regularly ends in the toy and the occupier being swept out to sea very quickly.  If your inflatable drifts out to sea, and is unoccupied, do not attempt to swim after it as you will never catch it up.  Simply leave it and find the nearest lifeguard and report it to them.

When there is little or no wind, only use inflatables between the red-and-yellow flags and closely supervise their use.

7. Supervise children

Always keep an eye on your children and agree a meeting point when you arrive at the beach, in case you are separated.  Make use of beaches 'Lost children wrist band schemes' and if you do lose your child report it to the lifeguards immediately.

8. Never drink and swim

Alcohol slows your reactions and impair your judgment and makes you more susceptible to cramps and the cold.

9. Check the tides

When exploring around cliffs and caves you should check the tide times and heights to see if it is safe to do so.  Every year thousands of people are rescued simply because they became cut off.

10. Know your flags

Beaches that are patrolled by lifeguards use a simple flag system to communicate some basic safety information to members of the public.  Having a basic understanding of this can greatly reduce your risk of ever getting into trouble in the first place.

This area is patrolled by lifeguards and is the safest place to swim, bodyboard and use inflatable's.

This area is also patrolled by lifeguards and is the safest place for watersports such as surfing and kayaking.  Never swim here.

 This means there are unsafe winds and inflatables should never be used when this is flying.

This flag means that it is dangerous to enter the water.  You should never go into the sea when this flag is flying.

How to throw a line

This week our friends Dyfed Water Search and Rescue team visited local secondary schools and taught 176 students how to throw a rescue line to someone they see in difficulty in the water.  Do you know how to throw a line?  Below is a simple step by step guide from their team to help you learn this simple lifesaving technique.

1 Attract attention

Shout out to the casualty to get their attention and tell them you are going to throw a line.

2. Throw the Line

Hold the throw bag in your 'stronger arm' and ensure the line is secured in your other hand.  Using an under arm motion, throw the bag containing the line towards the casualty while holding the tail end of the line in your other hand. Aim to get the line to land across the casualty’s body or over their head enabling them to easily grab the line.

3. Give Instructions

Shout to the casualty: ‘Hold onto the line,’ followed by: ‘Roll onto your back.'  This will put the casualty into an easy position for you to pull them to safety

4. Pull line in

Pull the casualty towards you using both hands.

5. Help casualty out of the water

Get hold of the casualty and assist them out of the water, using whatever safe means is available.  Be sure to keep yourself safe at all times.

Top tips for summer event swimmers:

1) Buy the right kit:

  Swimming in the sea is different to swimming in a pool.  The water in the UK is classified as cold and therefore needs to be taken seriously.  Take advise from like minded competitors and manufacturers to ensure you have the right kit for the right job.  This should, as a minimum include a wetsuit, goggles and swim hat but if you will be planning informal training sessions you might also wish to consider safety and rescue equipment.

2)Get in the sea:

 Every year we see it, someone has decided to enter an event, trained their hearts out in the pool but never stepped foot into the sea.  Then the big shock hits them when over 2000 competitors battle it out in cold, moving water, this could not be further from pool swimming.  Sea swimming required a whole new set of techniques, more stamina plus you need to be able to read waves and use currents to your advantage.  Giving yourself a few weeks to acclimatise is highly valuable when it comes to keeping you safe, let alone finishing the race.

3) Do your homework:

Every course is different and spending a little time researching is important.  Look at and learn the course layout as on event day it will be chaotic, check the prevailing conditions and try to understand how this could affect your race and don't forget to read through your pre-event packs and pay attention to what to do if you need assistance as this really is your lifeline.

4)Line positioning:

Getting a good start is paramount, however, sometimes it might be more beneficial to push back and take the start easier.  Usually the pro's will start up front and naturally funnel down to the less experienced.  Being honest with yourself and placing yourself in the right place could be more beneficial in the long run as it will save you being caught up in the inevitable pushing and shoving that is usually found in the center of the pack.  Also, if your not the strongest of swimmers, going hard at the beginning could have disastrous effects on you at the end when you 'hit the wall.'  Pacing yourself and making it to the finish is probably a lot better than having to catch a free ride ashore with one of our lifeguards!

5) Listen to the safety team:

Believe it or not even your event organisers and professionals have to listen to the safety team, why? Because when it comes to keeping everyone safe they are the experts and they are in charge.  As part of your registration pack you should be given some basic safety information, read this and learn it as it will be crammed with information set down by the event organiser and safety team saying what to do in an emergency.  Also be sure to listen to the safety brief.  Most of the time this is a repeat of the information you have already had but listen carefully, something might have had to change last minute and this is the last opportunity you will have to be notified.  Finally while afloat, listen to and obey the safety teams.  Remember they are the experts and they are there to do a job and that job? - to keep you safe! 

Summer fitness tips for prospective lifeguards

Are you debating a career as a lifeguard and wondering how you can boost your fitness ready for that all important exam?  A lot of tradition Lifeguard fitness authors simply say 'Get in the pool' but there is so much more to being a beach lifeguard then just doing the lengths.

We asked one of our Lifeguard Assessors what a perspective candidate can do over the summer to help them achieve their beach lifeguard awards.

1. Stay in the pool: Its worth keeping on top of that pool swimming as it is there that you will hone your speed, stamina and technique for that all important timed swim.  Practice your distance swims, sprints and other elements of the assessment.

2. Hit the sea: Getting some sea swim time is also a huge advantage, why?  because swimming in the sea is totally different to swimming in the pool.  You need a totally different set of techniques plus you need to acclimatise to the environment.

3. Go surfing:  Being able to cope with surf is a fundamental part of the beach lifeguards job and having overcome the fears and unpredictability of the surf early on will clear the way for your instructors to really build you up as a waterman.  Why not take surf lessons? This way you will learn the basics of board work, how to read waves and overcome any fears?  Alternatively just adding a few simple surf sessions yourself would be beneficial.  Go swimming or take a body board. Just be sure to always visit a lifeguarded beach.

4. Join a beach fitness class:  Why not trade in that winter gym membership and turn the beach into your gym?  Loads of fitness centers are now offering outdoor sessions and if not, why not do it yourself?

5. Start running: Both the lifeguard course, exam and employment fitness tests involve some form of beach running.  So you can run on a track that's great, but can you run on soft sand?  Introducing a beach run element to your fitness will once again build on that speed and stamina of yours but will also start to acclimatise you to the environment you will be tested on so why not get the head start?

6. A healthy, balanced diet: Your body will crave those extra nutrients as you work it harder.  Giving your body the right fuel when exercising is key.  Make sure you get a balanced diet and cut down on the summer alcohol to give your body the energy it needs.

7. Get involved in water sports: It doesn't have to be surfing.  Having experience in any kind of water sport would be seen as a huge advantage when you finally apply for the job.

8. Volunteer:  Many organisations, including the RNLI and Surf Lifesaving clubs, regularly recruit volunteers to patrol their beaches or support their patrols.  This is a perfect opportunity to build your CV, gain experience and get a foot in the door and the best part is you don't even need to be a qualified lifeguard as many of these organisations have support roles meaning you can shadow a team and learn on the job.

9. October:  If you are looking to be qualified for the following season get your course for around October time the previous year.  Why?  well most lifeguard services start recruiting in February and if you already hold an award you won't need to wait around to get your exam.  Plus early season courses are usually oversubscribed and therefore harder to get on.

 10. Research:  Summer is the perfect time to do a bit of research to learn more about the actual role.  Stories of rescues will soon be hitting the newspapers so why not have a read and see what it's really all about?  Head down to the beach and visit your local lifeguards and ask them for their advice on training and recruitment.

Remember it's not just a case of finishing a course.  That's just the beginning. Getting out there and experiencing the environment early will help make you develop as a much stronger,  more attractive candidate.

Jumping into the unknown....

A lifeguards advice on tombstoning

It’s that time of year again – the weather is warming up and people young and old are flocking to the coast to cool off and enjoy the summer season and already we are seeing the annual rise in an activity known as tombstoning - jumping off pier, cliffs and bridges into water below.

I can see the attraction of tombstoning, being a bit of an adrenaline junkie, but I have also seen firsthand the sheer dangers such an un-regulated activity brings.

According to ROSPA over a 5 year period 2004-2010 there was a reported 139 incidents requiring rescue or emergency response on our coastline.  12 of these ended in a fatality.

However, there is a really simple message for people to keep in their minds: don’t jump into the unknown!

Thombstoning has been a common activity across the British coast for generations, unfortunately in recent years it has gained the attention of the press for all the wrong reasons, mainly the number of people killed or suffering life changing injuries as a result of their jump.  So we took a little time to look at some of the dangers and ask is there a safer alternative?

Why is it dangerous?

Tombstoning offers a high-risk, high-impact experience but it can have severe and life-threatening consequences. This is because:

• Water depths alter with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems
• Submerged objects like rocks may not be visible – these can cause serious impact injuries
• The shock of cold water can make it difficult to swim
• Getting out of the water is often more difficult than people realise
• Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away

Who is harmed?

To answer this question we looked at 41 of the most serious cases in more detail, and the stats may surprise you.

• Most of those involved in the most serious cases were male (85%)
• Teenagers were involved in just over half the cases (55%), followed by those in their 20s (25% with the remainder of incidents involving people aged over 30 years
• All of the known alcohol-related incidents involved males aged over 40 (which accounted for three of the fatal incidents)
• Of the non-fatal incidents, spinal and limb injuries (both at 20%) were most commonly reported.  Many of which resulted in life-changing injuries.

Is there a safer alternative?

Yes.  There is.  Activities such as coasteering are very similar to those associated with tombstoning but the key difference is that coasteering is done in a safe, controlled and lead manor.  Groups are escorted around pre-determined routes by specially trained guides who are equipped with both the skills and equipment needed to deal with any incident that might occur.