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Only swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach.

The red and yellow flags indicate the safest place to swim when lifeguards and lifesavers patrol beaches.

HUNTER SURF LIFE SAVING

SURF SAFETY TIPS

1. ALWAYS SWIM OR SURF AT PLACES PATROLLED BY SURF LIFE SAVERS OR LIFEGUARDS – if you get into trouble, fast professional help from Surf Life Savers or Lifeguards will increase you chance of survival dramatically.

2. SWIM BETWEEN THE RED AND YELLOW PATROL FLAGS – they mark a ‘good’ area to swim with Surf Life Savers or Lifeguards monitoring this area.

3. ALWAYS SWIM WITH A FRIEND – who will help you if you get into trouble when you are alone?

4. TAKE THE TIME TO READ AND OBEY SAFETY SIGNS – signs are put up on the beach, or at the entrance of a beach, to help you have a safe and enjoyable time.  Some Descriptions of signs follow:

   1. No Swimming

   2. No Surfing

   3. Stingers

   4. Dangerous Current

   5. RED FLAG – Beach closed

   6. No Aquatic Activities

5. DON’T SWIM DIRECTLY AFTER A MEAL – this increases the chance of you tiring a lot faster than normal.

6. DO NOT SWIM UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS

   1. alcohol levels can remain high for up to 12-20 hours after the last drink.

   2. Alcohol impairs judgement and more risks are taken

   3. You can tire more easily

   4. Body temperature drops more quickly – could lead to severe cramps.

7. NEVER RUN AND DIVE IN THE WATER – even if you checked before as conditions can change within 5-30 minutes.

   1. Submerged rocks or Sandbars may be found under the water which can cause major spinal injury.

   2. Whenever duckdiving in the surf, always keep your arms out in front of you.

8. IF YOU GET INTO TROUBLE IN THE WATER, STAY CALM.

   1. Raise your arm to signal for help

   2. Float on your back to conserve energy

   3. Wait for Assistance.

9. KNOW WHAT A RIP IS AND HOW TO ESCAPE FROM IT

   1. Rips don’t kill people – a factor in why people drown in the surf is they panic when they get caught in a rip and think they are going to get taken way out to see.  Rips usually finish just past the first breaking waves.  It is when people panic and start swimming against the rip that they tire very fast and hence don’t have enough energy to be able to stay afloat.

   2. Signs of a Rip

                            i.      Discoloured brown water – due to sand stirred off the bottom.

                            ii.      Foam on the surface extending beyond the break – you usually can find foam wherever waves are breaking but the important point is a trail of foam extends beyond the break

                            iii.      A rippled appearance, with generally no waves breaking – calm water on a beach could mean there is a rip there….. Why? I hear you ask, the water is deeper in a rip area and hence the waves are not breaking and WAVES are always moving towards the beach HENCE one of the best places to swim is where there are waves as if you get into trouble you can use the waves to get back into the beach.  The rippled appearance is due to the water churning around .

                            iv.      Debris floating out to sea on the surface of the water.

3. NEVER swim against water in the surf – Ian Thorpe wouldn’t even be able to swim against a rip.

4. HOW TO GET OUT OF A RIP

                            i.      Do Not panic, tread water or float and let the current take you.

                            ii.      If you think you can make it back to the beach, swim parallel to the shore 30-40 metres, then catch the waves back to shore.

                            iii.      On a patrolled beach, raise one arm and wait for a lifesaver to rescue you.

10.  KNOW YOUR 3 WAVE TYPES

    1. Plunging/Dumping Waves – cause most spinal injuries.  They usually occur at low tide and where sandbanks are shallow.

    2. Spilling Waves – Safest for body surfing.

    3. Surging Waves – These can be very dangerous as they can knock little children predominantly over and drag them back into deep water.