NSRI sea safety tips

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay NSRI advises beach goers to choose a beach that has lifeguards on duty and to swim between their flags.

Sea Rescue launched its Pink Rescue Buoy project in November 2017.

The bright pink rescue buoys are hung on strategically placed signs.

If there is an incident and someone needs help these buoys can be thrown to the person in trouble in the water, providing them with emergency flotation. There are clear graphics on the sign which explain how to use the buoy. The emergency number for the closest Sea Rescue station is printed on the sign. The NSRI gives the following tips for bathers this season:

Have a plan in place in the event of an emergency to prevent panic
Beach goers should have emergency numbers saved on their cellphones. Dial 112 from any cellphone in any emergency. Put the local Sea Rescue number in your phone too (or you can Google Sea Rescue to find the closest NSRI station emergency number).

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 the week during summer school holidays. Listen to their advice and talk to them about safety on the beach that you are visiting. They are the experts on that beach. If lifeguards are not on duty do not swim.

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. Lifeguards watch swimmers very carefully between the flags; just wave an arm if you need help.

Don't drink and drown
Alcohol and water do not mix. Never drink alcohol and then go to swim.

Don't swim alone. Always swim with a buddy
If you are with a buddy while swimming, it means there is someone who can call for help if you need it and if you can't wave to the lifeguards or call for help yourself.

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 if it is at a water body that does not have lifeguards on duty. It is extremely dangerous to get into the water to rescue someone, so rather throw something that floats to the person in difficulty and call for help.

Know how to survive rip currents
If you swim between the lifeguards' flags they will make sure that you are safe and well away from rip currents. If for some reason this is not possible, do not swim. Educate yourself about rip currents.

Don't attempt a rescue yourself
Call a lifeguard or the NSRI by dialling 112 from your cellphone for help.

Do not let children use floating objects, toys or tyre tubes at the beach or on dams
You can very quickly get blown away from the shore and as much fun as tubes and styrofoam boards are, it is easy to fall off them.