We also get quite a few
calls every year for people who get stung by a weever fish, which can be very
painful with your the are that got stung becoming very swollen but what we find
is that if you put your foot in as hot water as you can manage, it will bring
down the swelling and generally the pain will go away after ten minutes or so,
also many people get stung by jellyfish and if this happens the best form of
treatment available is not to rub the area as this will make it worse but to
lightly spray the area with sea water.
Missing Children
While at the beach, it’s
important you supervise your children at all times. When you first arrive, arrange
a meeting place so everyone knows where to go and wait if you become separated
(e.g. lifeguard station or beach shop).
REMEMBER: supervise children at all times, and arrange a meeting place when
you first arrive at the beach.
If you become separated from your child:
Try not to panic. Every year thousands of children are reported lost, but in
most cases the children are found safe and well within a few minutes. Check
the area around you or where you last saw your child. If you cannot find them,
notify the lifeguards (who are normally located between the red and yellow flags).
If you cannot find a lifeguard call 999 and ask for the coastguard, who will
conduct a search.
Give some basic information
about your child to the lifeguards or coastguards
to help speed up the search, including:
• A description (age, clothing, name etc)
• Time and place the child was last seen (this helps determine how far
they
may have gone)
• Any special needs your child may have
If you go searching for your child make sure any other children you have with
you are supervised, and report back to the lifeguards or coastguards at regular
intervals. When you locate your child it is important to notify the lifeguards
or coastguards immediately so they know to stop searching.
Beach Flags
Red and yellow flags mark
areas of water that are patrolled by lifeguards.
These are the safest places to swim.
Red flags indicate danger.Do
not enter the water when the
red flag is flying.
Black and white chequered flags means an area of water has been
marked for use by craft. For your own safety, do not swim in these zones.
Tides and Waves
Keep an eye on tides. To
avoid getting into difficulties, always check the tide before you enter the
water. Equally, be careful not to get cut off
by the tide when walking along the shore and make sure if there are children
playing that they are not in danger of the tide. Watch out for waves. Waves
are formed by the wind blowing across the surface of the sea. The longer the
wind blows, the bigger the waves will be.
There are three types of
wave: Surging waves never actually break. Look out for this type of wave, as
they can easily knock people off their feet and drag them back out to sea –
especially when standing on rocks, the shoreline or harbour walls etc.
Spilling waves appear when
the top of the wave tumbles down the front of the wave. These types of wave
are generally the safest for swimming in.
Dumping waves break with
great force and in shallow water. These dangerous waves usually occur at low
tide, when the sand banks are shallow and there is less water for the wave to
break into. Avoid the sea when you see dumping waves. REMEMBER: it’s important
to be constantly aware of tides and waves when you are in, or beside the sea.
