Be safe in surfing
Australian beaches are magical - they are clean, big and free ... but they can also be very dangerous. Here are some basic precautions to help you enjoy your time at the beach:
Do:
o Swim on patrol beaches between red and yellow flags
o Follow the instructions of rescuers
o Watch children constantly when they are in the water
o Take plenty of fresh drinking water to the beach
o Protect yourself from the sun
o Stay calm; If you get into trouble in the water, do not panic. Raise your hand for help, swim and wait for help.
o Float with current or tray. Calm down. Signal for help and wait for help.
Not:
o Swim right after eating
o Just swim
o Swim in riding area
o Try to swim against the current, it just tires you
o Run and dive into the water. Even if you have already checked, conditions may change.
o Swim when the beach was closed by lifeguards - this is indicated by crossed flags or red flags.
o Swim after drinking alcohol
Swim between flags
The area between the flags is the only stretch of beach that is patrolled by lifeguards, and in the summer months, lifeguards are on duty from 8:00 to 18:00.
Make sure you can recognize the flags:
A flag that is half red and half yellow means that it is safe to swim.
A red flag means you do not need to inject water.
Sometimes you see a flag depicting a swimmer in a red circle with the intersection of a red diagonal line. It also means danger, and you should not enter the water.
A yellow flag indicates hazardous conditions and that only experienced swimmers are swimming. And even they must take extra care.
A green flag indicates that conditions are safe and you can swim in a zone with a flag.
Red and yellow flags are located on the beach to show the safest swim platform in the depths of the water, waves, underwater obstacles, currents and potential breaks.
Beach conditions and wave types
There are several different types of waves, and being able to identify them will help you decide when it is time to settle down instead of swimming.
When you are in the surf, it is important that you closely watch the waves approaching; never hold your back to them for more than a few seconds. If you see a big wave approach, do not panic. Breathe in and just dive. Give yourself a push from the bottom when it passes.
Wave wave
This is commonly referred to as “dump truck”. Waves of this type break with great force. The swimmer can easily be thrown to the bottom and injured. This type of wave should be left to experienced surfers.
Shedding wave
This wave formation occurs when the crest falls over the face of the wave. Waves of this type are the safest surfing for the body, swimmers and riders.
Wave wave
This type of wave can never break when it approaches the edge of the water, but there is a large amount of water that can suddenly surface on the beach. The danger in these circumstances is that your legs may be knocked under you. Small children should always be “tied” to an adult when this type of wave breaks ... hold hands firmly or pull them out of the water and carry them with you.
V-saddle holes
In the coastal hole is a chute that runs parallel to the shore, and the depth can vary from a few inches to a few feet.
Small children can get into the pit by increasing the water on the slope of the beach, and the wave action returns down the beach.
Rips or Rip Currents
Where surfing rolls along the beach, gaps develop. (You can also hear a rip, called a rip, washout, chute, or coast.) with them.
You can usually identify a rip because the water often turns out to be very calm over them and joins inexperienced swimmers who want to avoid the waves. If you have problems with the surf, be calm and ask for help.
Surf Lifesaving Australia has the following methods for determining rip flow:
o Illuminated water, brown in color, due to sand mixed with the bottom
o Foam on the surface that extends beyond the beach
o The waves break more and more on both sides of the rip
o Precipitation floating towards the sea
o Corrugated appearance when the water around is generally calm.
How to avoid a gap
If done in a rip - NOT a PANIC. If you are not a strong swimmer, the best place to go is from the beach. Wipe the water or float when you continue while waving your arms and trying to get attention. Rips do not extend very far to the sea ... there is no risk that you will be transported to New Zealand!
As soon as you feel the weakening of the current, begin to swim parallel to the shore or with the current, until you reach the edge of it, and then return to the shore where the waves break. You can usually catch a wave from both sides of the rip.
Never attempt to sail against a break. Olympic swimmer is not suitable for a powerful break.
If you are a competent swimmer, swim at a right angle to the direction in which the rip takes you, and then swims to the white water, where the waves break. The waves should wash you ashore.
Intense drift current
It is a current that moves parallel to the shore and can be either fast or almost indistinguishable from the water around it. Its intensity is greater inside the surf line and decreases with distance from the coastline. Many swimmers begin to swim inside the marked area, and then look after a few minutes to see that they were taken out of the safe area by the current.
When you enter the water, find a spot on the shore that you can use as a marker, and check it regularly to make sure you are fired from the flags.
Alcohol and swimming
The dangers associated with drinking and driving are well known, but few appreciate the similar dangers associated with alcohol and water sports. With alcohol, judgment is disturbed and more risks are accepted. You will be easier to sew, and your body temperature drops faster, and this can lead to severe cramps. If you are confronted with difficulties, you will most likely tear and inhale the contents of the stomach into your lungs.
The message is clear: do not mix alcohol and swimming.
For more information, visit the Australian Rescue Association Surf. http://www.slsa.com.au
