BEACH SAFETY
As much as we all love the beach we need to give the sea an enormous amount of respect.

Every year, thousands of people get into real, life-threatening difficulty on our coasts.
They may be washed out to sea, pulled under by a strong rip current, or simply get into the water when conditions are dangerous.
To ensure you and your family don’t put yourselves in danger we have compiled some simple steps you can take to stay safe on the beach.

TOP TIPS TO STAY SAFE
Wherever possible, always swim at a lifeguarded beach. Go to www.goodbeachguide.co.uk to search for listings throughout the UK and RoI.

Always read and obey the safety signs, usually found at the entrance to the beach. These will help you avoid potential hazards on the beach and identify the safest areas for swimming.

When on a lifeguarded beach, find the red and yellow flags and always swim or bodyboard between them – this area is patrolled by lifeguards.

NEVER SWIM ALONE
If you get in trouble, stick your hand in the air and shout for help.

If you see someone in difficulty, never attempt a rescue. Tell a lifeguard or, if you can’t see a lifeguard, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

KNOW YOUR FLAGS
Red and yellow flags indicate the area patrolled by lifeguards. These are the safest areas to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.

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.

The red flag indicates danger. NEVER enter the water when the red flag is flying, under any circumstances.

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 while 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 chose to do so, 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 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 requires a water depth of 5m. The average cliff jumping height is up to 25m.
• 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 fins.
• Always use your board on a lifeguarded 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, surfhiresafety.co.uk.

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, surfhiresafety.co.uk.

INFLATABLES
• Inflatable toys are great fun in pools, but we strongly advise against using them in the sea, as there is a high chance of being swept out.
• Always use inflatables on a lifeguarded beach, in between the red and yellow flags.
• Never use an inflatable when the orange windsock is flying – this indicates an offshore wind that could carry you out to sea.
• Never use an inflatable in choppy sea conditions.

For further information on beach safety, go to rnli.org.uk/beach safety or call 0800 328 0600

BEACH ETIQUETTE
The majority of beaches around Cornwall are owned by the National Trust or the local council but that doesn’t mean to say that they have to clean up our mess. It’s in our own interest to pick up litter and take it home with us and to leave the beach as we would like to find it. If you like to bbq on the beach, then please remember that the sand or rocks under your bbq will get extremely hot and will need a good dousing with sea water to cool them off to ensure that nobody (human or animal) gets burnt feet after you have left.
Also remember to make sure that any wood burnt is free from any metal, nails, screws etc so that no dangerous debris is left behind.
Disposable bbqs should be extinguished safely and taken home, many fires have been caused by people leaving hot coals in or next to rubbish bins.

COASTAL WALKS
Whether you're looking for a gentle stroll or an energetic hike, there are countless places to explore. A bracing walk on a beach with your dog is a wonderful experience. All we ask is that you keep your dog under control, observe local signs, notices and restrictions, and dispose of dog poo thoughtfully. Many of our beaches welcome dogs all year round but there are restrictions at a small number of places at busy times of the year and during
sensitive seasons for breeding wildlife. All these restrictions will be clearly indicated by on site notices.