Surf safety

Surf safety rules

• Swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach
• Swim or surf at places patrolled by lifesavers
• Don't swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Always check the depth of the water before entering
• If you get into trouble stay calm and raise your arm for help

Rips

• A rip is a seaward-moving water current
• A rip can be recognised by sand coloured or rippled water running out to sea
• The waves may also be larger and breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip.
• Rips occur along almost all stretches of beach
• Also in and around rocks, breakwalls or any permanent fixture in the ocean.

What to do if you are caught in a rip

• Staying calm is essential
• Not swimming directly against the rip is important 
• Only strong swimmers only should swim at an angle across the rip
• Request assistance by raising a straight arm and calling out for help
• Floating and conserving energy is important until help arrives

watch this SLSA clip

• Click on this URL or type it into your address bar 
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hCZuYzNujI
• How much do you understand now?
• Find out by taking the quiz that will be emailed to you

Credit

• All information contained in this presentation was sourced from SLSA
• www.surfrescue.com.au