WITH the festive season just around the corner, holidaymakers will be flocking to the beaches, dams, rivers and swimming pools, making water safety a top priority.
Water safety falls under SAPS, and the Water Wing will be on standby this summer, ensuring everyone adheres to bathing regulations.
To assist all bathers, they have shared some useful water safety tips.
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Ocean Safety Tips
– Before entering the sea, swimmers must watch the waves and avoid places where there is a strong backwash, rip currents or rocks
– Check with the lifeguard/s on duty what the surf conditions are before entering the sea
– Check the weather and the tides before you leave home – if the sea is too rough, you could be swept away
– 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
– Only swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards, and obey their instructions
– If you are caught in rip currents, relax and swim toward the shore at a 45-degree angle until you are free of the current
– If the rip currents are strong, swim parallel with the shoreline in the same direction as the littoral current, and then swim diagonally towards the shore
– Dive underneath big waves and keep your body low until the wave has passed over you. Timing is important, dive into the base of the wave just before it breaks
– Check the flags; a red flag means it is dangerous to swim, a red-and-yellow flag means lifeguards are on duty and you must swim between the flags
– Be considerate of other swimmers, especially when surfing
– Be alert and steer clear of plant and animal life. Jellyfish, stingrays and other marine animals can cause painful stings or allergic reactions. Brushing up against certain types of seaweed or coral can result in painful scratches and scrapes.
Water Safety for Children
– Never leave a young child unattended near water, and never make a child responsible for another child – not even for five minutes
– Teach children to always ask permission to go near water
– If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing drowning or permanent disability
– Swimming aids, such as water wings or noodles, are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used instead of approved flotation devices
– Even a small inflatable pool, or bucket full of water, is a potential danger for toddlers if they are not supervised
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General Water Safety Tips
– Avoid swimming immediately after a big meal as there is a danger of cramps
– Do not dive into shallow water as there is a risk of neck injury
– 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
– Never swim alone, use the buddy system
– Do not overestimate your swimming ability, especially in cold water as ability severely decreases
– Never swim while you are intoxicated as alcohol impairs judgment, and an intoxicated swimmer will tire more easily, increasing the chance drowning
– Organisers of all water-related activities must ensure that appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cellphone, life jackets and a first-aid kit are available, with the necessary emergency instructions
– Knowing CPR is a skill that can mean the difference between life and death
– Special care must be taken at isolated dams, rivers and pools on farms and in rural areas, especially after heavy rain in the area
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