Beach Safety
Beach Safety
Whenever you visit our beaches and go swimming in the ocean, please always make sure that you:
1. Visit lifeguard patrolled beaches and swim between the red and yellow flags. Stick your right hand up and shout for help, if you find yourself in difficulties. Stay calm and don’t struggle against the currents!
2. Never let your children swim in the ocean unaccompanied, and make sure they are within easy reach at all times.
3. Never use inflatables in the open sea. They are banned in the open sea in North Cornwall. If you want to use them, please go to our open sea pool on Summerleaze Beach.
4. Beware of the strength of the sun! Have a high-factor sun tan lotion with you and apply it several times a day.
5. Always have hats,caps and suitable clothing to hand to cover up your skin and head (especially for children!), when needed. Sun stroke is a very unpleasant experience and can ruin your holiday and at worst, be life threatening.
6. Do not drink alcohol whilst in the hot sun -they do not mix well at all!
7. Do not leave any rubbish behind!
Know your flags
Red and yellow flags
Red and yellow flags indicate the area patrolled by lifeguards. These are the safe areas to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.
Black and white chequered flags
Black and white chequered flags indicate an area zoned by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks. Never swim or bodyboard in these areas.
Red flag
The red flag indicates danger. NEVER enter the water when the red flag is flying, under any circumstances.
Orange windsock
The orange windsock indicates offshore wind conditions. You should NEVER use an inflatable when the sock is flying.
Red and yellow flags
Red and yellow flags indicate the area patrolled by lifeguards. These are the safe areas to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.
Black and white chequered flags
Black and white chequered flags indicate an area zoned by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks. Never swim or bodyboard in these areas.
Red flag
The red flag indicates danger. NEVER enter the water when the red flag is flying, under any circumstances.
Orange windsock
The orange windsock indicates offshore wind conditions. You should NEVER use an inflatable when the sock is flying.
Understanding hazards and dangers
Rip currents (Rips)
Rips are strong currents running out to sea that can easily take swimmers from shallow water out beyond their depth. They are especially powerful in larger surf, but are also found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.
How to spot a rip current
- discoloured, brown water (caused by sand being stirred up from the seabed)
- foam on the water's surface
- debris floating out to sea
- a rippled patch of sea, when the water around is generally calm.
How to get out of trouble
If you are caught in a rip or strong current, obey the three Rs:
- Relax – Stay calm and float. Do not swim against the current, swim across it.
- Raise – Raise an arm to signal for help. If possible shout to shore for help.
- Rescue – Float and wait for assistance. Do not panic, people drown in rips because they panic. Obey directions from the lifeguard.
If you think you are able to swim in, swim parallel to the beach until out of the effects of the rip and then make your way to shore.
Tides and waves
- Keep an eye on tides. Always check the tide before you enter the water. If you are not sure, check with a lifeguard.
- Be careful not to get cut off by the tide when walking along the shore.
- Always ensure your children are not in danger from the tide when playing on the beach.
- Never think it is safe to wave dodge. The sea is unpredictable and what looks like fun could end in tragedy with large waves taking you out to sea.
- Spilling waves are the safest to swim in. They appear when the top of the wave tumbles down the front.
- Dumping waves break with great force in shallow water. These are dangerous waves that usually occur during low tide. Avoid the sea when you see dumping waves.
Tombstoning or jumping from height into the sea
It is strongly recommended that you DO NOT jump from a height into the sea. However if you choose to, please do your own risk assessment on the hazards, considering the following:
- Never jump from any object into the sea while under peer pressure or under the influence of alcohol.
- Check the depth of the water you are jumping into. Remember the tides can go in and out very quickly, so while it may start off deep enough, it can soon become shallow.
- Check for hazards in the water you are jumping into. Rocks and groynes under the sea may not be visible through the surface - but you will feel them if you jump onto them!
- As a rule of thumb, jumping from a 10m height - about the third floor of an office block - requires a water depth of 5m.
- Consider the risk to others. You may be strong and fit enough to swim to safety after your jump. However young children may look up to you and follow your actions.
Bodyboarding
- When buying a bodyboard, always purchase a leash and flippers.
- Always use your board on alifeguarded beach and board in between the red and yellow flags.
- If you get into trouble, never abandon your board - it will keep you afloat. Wave your hand and shout for help.
- If you are hiring a board, aim to use a member of the Surf Hire Safety scheme.
Surfing
- Wherever possible, always surf at a lifeguarded beach and follow the advice of the lifeguards,
- Novices should only ever surf between the black and white flags.
- Ask a lifeguard for advice on where to surf.
- Always have a lesson at an approved BSA or ISA school.
- Always wear your leash.
- If you get into trouble never abandon your board - it will keep you afloat. Wave your hand and shout for help.
- Never surf alone.
- Never surf between the red and yellow flags.
- Never drop in on another surfer.
- If you are hiring a board, aim to use a member of the Surf Hire Safety scheme.
