WITH the holiday season approaching and residents flooding the beaches, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) highlights a few safety tips.
According to NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, their number one rule for a safe experience at the beach, is to choose a beach that has lifeguards on duty and to swim between their flags.
“If you do that, you don’t need to worry about rip currents, or suddenly getting out of your depth. Putting an arm in the air and waving for help will get a rapid response from the lifeguards on duty,” Lambinon said.
Some safety tips to bear in mind this summer:
. Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguards are on duty at selected beaches between 10:00 and 18:00 on weekends and during summer school holidays.
. Swim between the lifeguards’ 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.
. Do not drink alcohol and then swim.
. Avoid swimming alone. Always swim with a buddy.
. Adult supervision and barriers to water are vital. Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim. This is vital for the public using beaches with no lifeguards on duty.
. 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.
. Don’t attempt a rescue yourself. Call a lifeguard or the NSRI by dialling 112 from your cellphone for help. If you see someone in difficulty, call a lifeguard at once. After calling for help, try to throw something that floats to the person in difficulty.
. Watch children who are using floating objects such as toys or tire tubes at the beach or on dams very carefully. Never use these if the wind may blow them away from the shallow water.
. Do not be distracted by your cellphone or social media while you are looking after children in or near water; you need to focus on them and nothing else.
. Learn how to do CPR and have the emergency numbers saved on your phone.
