Staying safe at the beach

Each year, thousands of people get into serious difficulty around our coasts. To help you and your family stay safe, the RNLI is offering some essential beach safety tips…

Top 10 Tips

• Always swim at a lifeguarded beach
• Swim between the red and yellow flags
• Never swim alone
• Know your beach safety flags
• Never use inflatables in strong winds or rough seas
• If you get into trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help
• If you see someone else in trouble, tell a lifeguard. If you can’t see a lifeguard call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
• Find out about the beach you’re going to before you visit
• Check tide times before you go
• Read and obey local hazard signs.

Flags

Rip currents (Rips)

Rips are strong currents running out to sea that can easily take swimmers out beyond their depth.
If you get caught in a rip current...

• Stay calm – don't panic
• If you can stand, wade, don’t swim
• Never try to swim directly against the rip or you'll get exhausted
• Keep hold of your board or inflatable to help you float
• Raise your hand and shout for help
  
• Swim parallel to be beach until free of the rip, then make for shore.

Inflatables

• Inflatable toys are best left for swimming pools as they can be easily swept out to sea
• If used in the sea, always use them on a lifeguarded beach, between the red and yellow flags
• Never use an inflatable in strong winds or rough seas.

Tides

• Keep an eye on tides – incoming tides can quickly trap people in coves or under cliffs
  
• Always check the tide before you enter the water. If unsure, check with a lifeguard
  
• Be careful not to get cut off by the tide when walking along the shore
  
• Always ensure children are not in danger from the tide while playing on the beach.

Tombstoning

Tombstoning involves jumping or diving from a height into water. It is a high-risk activity, which is usually undertaken without supervision.

Tombstoning can be dangerous because...

• Water depth alters with the tide – the water may be shallower than it seems
• Submerged objects like rocks may not be visible – they can cause serious injury if you land on them
  
• The shock of cold water may make it difficult to swim
• Strong currents can rapidly sweep people away.

Those who wish to participate in tombstoning can reduce the risks by remembering the following advice:

• Check for hazards in the water. Rocks or submerged objects under the sea may not be visible through the surface
• Check the depth of the water. Remember tides can rise or fall very quickly – it may start off deep enough but can quickly become shallower
• As a rule of thumb, a jump of ten metres requires a depth of at least five metres
• Never jump while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or peer pressure
• Consider the risk to others. Conditions can change rapidly – remember young people could be watching and attempt to mimic the activity
• Check for access, it may be impossible to get out of the water.

Surfing

• Wherever possible, always surf at a lifeguarded beach and follow the advice of the lifeguards
  
• Never surf on your own. Let someone on shore know where you’ll be and what time you’ll be back
  
• Only surf within your own ability and experience
• Never attempt to surf in conditions that are beyond your capability
• Ask a lifeguard or experienced local surfer where is safest to enter the water
• Novices should only surf between the black and white flags
• Always have lessons at an approved BSA surf school
• Always wear a leash
• Never abandon your board. If in trouble, signal for help by waving your arm and shouting for help.

Bodyboarding

• When buying a bodyboard, always buy a leash and flippers
• Stay between the red and yellow flags
• Never abandon your board.
• If in trouble, signal for help by waving your arm and shouting for help.

Kayaking

• Take suitable training on how to use all of your equipment
• Check the weather and tides before you depart be aware of wind strength especially offshore winds
• Wear a suitable personal flotation device (buoyancy aid)
• Wear suitable clothing for the conditions and take a drink and snack with you
• Where possible, paddle in a group and tell someone back on land where you are going and how long you intend to be out for
• Carry suitable means of calling for help (VHF radio or flares)
• Check your kayak and equipment are well maintained and ready for the water.
• Learn and practice techniques to get back on board your kayak if you should capsize
• Ensure you are a confident swimmer who can swim a minimum of 50 metres in the sea

For further information on beach safety please go to www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety