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.