Tips to stay safe while enjoying the beach
Knowing how to spot and handle rip currents could save your life
NOTHING beats a refreshing dip in the ocean, but there are a few guidelines everyone should take note of before heading for the beach.
Rip currents are at their strongest during spring tide (full moon).
Knowing how to spot – and handle – them could save your life.
Ocean safety tips
• Never swim alone. Always tell someone if you are going to the beach.
• Respect the ocean – never stand with your back to the ocean.
• Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Make sure your feet can always touch the ground.
• Hold your child’s hand. Don’t think you can watch them from a safe distance while they play in the water. Accidents happen in seconds and by the time you reach them, it might be too late.
• Keep an eye on a fixed point or marker on the beach.
• Do not swim in rough water, but do not underestimate ‘calm’ seas either. Many drownings happen on days when the water looks calm and harmless.
• Before entering the water, look out for rip currents, preferably from an elevated spot.
ALSO READ: New Year’s Day drowning at Richards Bay
How do I recognise a current?
Currents are strong jets of water that pull you away from the shore.
• Currents are usually discolored, sandy brown.
• Currents ripple the surface of the sea.
• Currents usually start in deep water where there is little wave activity.
• Look out for water through a surf zone that is a different color than the surrounding water.
• A break in the incoming pattern of waves.
• Seaweed or debris moving out through the surf zone.
• Isolated turbulent and choppy water in the surf zone.
Be extra careful during spring tide
Spring tide happens twice every month at full moon and again at new moon.
Rip currents are at their strongest for a few days leading up to spring tide, peaking on the day of spring tide, and lasting a few days afterwards.
Spring tide rip currents can be so strong that they are known to sometimes sweep people off their feet in ankle deep water and sweep people rapidly out to sea.
If you do get caught in a rip-current
• Do not panic. Do not try to swim against the current. As hard as it sounds, let the current take you out to sea.
• Tread water by moving your arms and legs in circular movements to stay afloat and keep your lungs gently filled with air to aid in your buoyancy.
• Raise one arm in the air and shout for help to alert people on the shore that you are in trouble.
• The rip current force dissipates the further out to sea it gets, so at your first opportunity, swim parallel to the shore front until you are free of the rip and then use the incoming waves to aid your progress to get back to shore.
In case of emergency, dial 112 from your cellphone
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