RNLI Beach Lifeguards Say Stay SAFE On The Beach!

by RNLI

June 27, 2005

RNLI beach lifeguards are issuing simple but vital beach safety advice to children and grown ups to spare them the trauma of getting into danger this holiday.

The warning is given as many people from all over Wales are expected to visit a beach sometime during the school summer holiday -- whether the beach they visit is in Scotland, Wales, England or further afield.

RNLI Beach Lifeguards

Statistics show that around 60 children lose their lives annually, with many more -- around 1,500 -- endangering themselves when in the water.

Steve Wills, RNLI Beach Safety Manager explains, 'It is incredibly frustrating that some people feel if they don't live near a popular beach that beach safety isn't relevant to them - that if certain areas don't have nice sandy beaches or lifeguards, or that its too cold to ever go to the local beach - the assumption is that there is no need to learn about beach safety. This is untrue, the sea does not respect your nationality or your postal address.'

'Before visiting a beach, please check out the RNLI Beach Lifeguard Web site, for practical advice and tips on how to stay safe, or email beachsafety@rnli.org.uk or telephone 0800 328 0600 for free beach safety literature.

'Find out about the beach being visited -- go to the Good Beach Guide Web site, produced by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), in partnership with the RNLI.

'Think about the safety on the beach -- RNLI research shows that only 4% of people consider safety when choosing a beach to visit, and consider whether the beach has lifeguards or whether there are safety signs that can give vital information about any beach hazards.

'Hopefully most people, especially those with children, will visit a lifeguard patrolled beach -- that will be flying safety flags. But before setting off, learn what the different coloured flags mean -- frighteningly only 54% understand the red and yellow flag, and worse still only 28% know what a black and white flag signifies - a surf craft zone. Fortunately more people understand the red flag, 89% -- perhaps by guessing that red usually means danger. However, the implications of a child not understanding what the flags mean and swimming into the wrong area could end in tragedy.'

In addition the RNLI recommends that children and adults learn FLAGS

F - Find the red and yellow flags and swim between them
L - Look at the safety signs
A - Ask a Lifeguard for advice
G - Get a friend to swim with you
S - Stick your hand up and shout for help if in difficulty

And finally, if you see anyone in trouble, DO NOT enter the water to rescue them, ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If Lifeguards are on the beach advise them immediately.

Steve concludes: 'And whichever part of the world you go to please take care with inflatable toys -- they can be great fun in a pool, but we strongly advise you not to use them in the sea. They are vulnerable even to slight gusts of wind, and using these toys in surf conditions can be extremely hazardous. One particular danger is where a wind blowing off the land makes the sea look calm, flat and apparently safe, but it can actually sweep an inflatable -- along with your child -- out to sea very swiftly.'

If people insist on taking inflatable toys into the sea, they should take the following precautions to minimise the risk to life: 'Never use an inflatable toy in the sea when the wind is offshore (when the wind is blowing from the shore out to sea) -- check flags, smoke and clouds to spot the direction the wind is blowing.'

Children's inflatables should always have a strong rope connected -- held securely by an adult on the shore.
Make sure children are visible and within easy reach at all times.
If possible, only use inflatables between the red and yellow flags.
Always follow the advice given by the lifeguard.
Never use inflatables in strong winds or when you see large waves, or near rivers or inlets with strong currents.

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