Open Water Safety

Posted on June 1, 2016

After two children had to be rushed to hospital following being rescued from the water at Crosby Marina, this got us at Courtley thinking about open water safety. Especially as we approach summer and more time will be spent by lakes in parks and on beaches. According to The Royal Life Saving Society, around 85% of accidental drownings occur at open water sights. Many of these incidents can be avoided with a little bit of knowledge and understanding about open water hazards. The first thing you should do when you reach open water is to look for warning signs or information flags, why not take the time to learn what they mean.

Red and yellow flags

These flags mark areas that are patrolled by lifeguards. These are the safest places to swim or use a bodyboard.

Red flags

A red flag indicates danger. Never enter the water when the red flag is flying.

Black and white chequered flags

If you see a black and white chequered flag, it means the area is safe for watercraft, like surfboards and kayaks. It’s not safe to swim or use a bodyboard in these areas.

If you are going to swim in open water you should aim to follow these tips:

• Swim parallel to the shore, not away from it;
• Do not enter water if it is fast flowing;
• Be aware there may be hazards under the water;
• Get out of the water if you start to feel cold;
• Do not enter the water after consuming alcohol;
• Only enter the water in an area with sufficient supervision and rescue cover;
• Try to swim with friends or family, that way you can help each other if you need to;
• Think about what you will do in the event that something does go wrong;
• If someone is in difficulty in the water shout reassurance to them and shout for help and call the emergency services (call 999 or 112);
• Without endangering yourself see if you can reach out to them with a stick, pole or item of clothing – lie down to ensure you stay secure. Alternatively throw something buoyant to them such as a ring buoy or anything that will float.

For more information on open water safety visit The Royal Life Saving Society’s website.