Water safety tips at the beach

DURING the festive season, the beach is a popular destination for locals and holidaymakers – but this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, going to the beach will be very different.

If you are one of those who will still be going to the beach these holidays, it is important to equip your child with important information.

When at the beach, swim only where and when lifesavers are on duty and swim between their red and yellow flags.

Rip currents are the greatest cause of drowning accidents along the coast. A rip current is a section of water that flows fast out to sea against the incoming waves. Anyone caught in a rip current will realise they are being swept out to sea faster than they can swim towards shore.

If you are caught in a rip current:

1. Do not panic and do not try to swim against the current. Let the current take you out to sea. It will not take you more than a few 100 metres and will not pull you under the water. There is no such thing as an undertow in the sea.

2. Raise one arm in the air and wave for help to alert people on the shore that you are in trouble.

3. The rip current force gets weaker the further out to sea it gets. At your first opportunity, swim parallel to the beach until you are free of the rip current and then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore.

WaterWise, an educational initiative of Sea Rescue, uses the acronym PLAN to help children remember what to do when they are at the beach:

P- Prepare: Pack a bag for your trip to the beach. Remember food, water and a swimming costume. Know who to call in an emergency – the ambulance telephone number is 10177.

L- Look: Look out for waves and rip currents. Slippery rocks are dangerous. Never turn your back on the sea.

A- Ask: Ask an adult to watch you when you swim. Always tell an adult where you are going and when you will be back.

N- Never: Never swim alone. Never swim if you are too tired, hungry or cold.

SOURCE: www.nsri.org.za/2012/03/ safety-tips-from-waterwise-for-the-easterholidays/