Safe swimming in the sea is vital to your safety and that of your family. It is recommended that you learn these tips to teach your children in order to keep them safe during the holidays.
SAFETY TIPS
- Before entering the sea, swimmers must take time to watch the waves and must avoid places where there is a strong backwash, obvious rip currents or a danger of being washed onto the rocks.
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- Check the weather and the tides before you leave home – if the sea is too rough, you could be swept away.
- Only enter where the waves are straight and gentle.
- If you experience a strong current, get out of the sea, or at least do not go in deep.
- It is better to swim when the tide is rising as the sea will tend to wash you ashore and the backwash and rip currents are not so strong.
- Check with the lifeguard/s on duty what the surf conditions are before entering the sea.
- Only swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards.
- If the lifeguards give you directions or instructions from the beach, obey them.
- Look out for warning signs and flags – a red flag means it is dangerous to swim.
- A red-and-yellow flag means lifeguards are on duty and you should only swim in the area between the flags.
- Be considerate of other swimmers, especially when surfing.
- Never swim while you are intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgement and unnecessary risks are taken. An intoxicated swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance of an accident or drowning.
- Avoid swimming immediately after a big meal, as there is a danger of having cramps.
- Do not dive into shallow seawater – many paraplegics broke their necks by diving into shallow pools and dams.
- Do not swim in river mouths, in dirty water, very early in the mornings, early evenings or after it had rained as shark activity increases in these conditions. Also do not swim when bluebottles are present as they are poisonous.
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