Sad, but true: It’s drowning season….

To save your life – and the lives of others – here are ten water safety tips to bear in mind this summer:

Only swim at beaches were and when lifeguards are on duty

Lifeguards are on duty at selected beaches between 10 and 6pm on weekends and during the week in summer school holidays.

Listen to their advice and talk to them about safety on the beach that you are visiting.

They are the experts on that beach.

If lifeguards are not on duty do not swim.

Swim between the lifeguard’s flags

Teach children that if they swim between the lifeguards flags the lifeguards will be watching them and can help if there is a problem.

Lifeguards watch swimmers very carefully between the flags – just wave an arm if you need help.

Don’t ‘Drink and Drown’

Alcohol and water do not mix.

Never drink alcohol and then go to swim.

Don’t swim alone

Always swim with a buddy.

They will alert someone if you get into distress.

Adult supervision

Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim.

This is vital if it is at a water body that does not have lifeguards on duty.

It is extremely dangerous to get into the water to rescue someone – so rather throw something that floats to the person in difficulty and call for help

Children should not be able to get through or over barriers such as pool fences to water.

Know how to survive rip currents

If you swim between the lifeguard flags they will make sure that you are safe and well away from rip currents.

If for some reason this is not possible do not swim.

If caught in a rip current, do not try to fight against it. Float on your back until you return close to shore, or help is summoned.

Don’t attempt a rescue yourself

Call a lifeguard or dial 112 from your cell phone for help.

After calling for help try and throw something that floats to the person in difficulty.

A ball, a foam board and so on.

Floater safety

Do not let children use floating objects, toys or tire tubes at the beach or on dams.

You can very quickly get blown away from the shore and as much fun as tubes and Styrofoam are it is
easy to fall off them.

If a child can’t swim and falls off in deep water they will drown.

Eyes on the water

Do not be distracted by your cell phone or social media.

While you are looking after children in or near water you need to focus on them and nothing else.

Adults who are supervising children should not be distracted or use their cell phone.

It is not possible to concentrate on children in the water and be on your phone at the same time.

Watch the movements

Please remember that drowning is completely silent.

Someone who is drowning may not be able to shout for help.

They will be vertical in the water (like they are trying to stand or climb stairs) and they will then silently slip under the water.

Listening for children (or adults) in difficulty in the water is not good enough, you must be watching them very carefully.

Make sure that they are not getting in too deep or being moved by currents away from a safe area.

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