How to stay safe at the beach (2024)

When you have an opportunity to relax and have fun at the beach, remember that accidents can happen at any time.Have a look at these helpful safety tips to keep your family safe at the beach.

Beach safety

• Only swim where there are lifeguards on duty and where signs indicate that it's safe to swim.
• Make sure that lifeguards can see you when you're in the water.
• At the beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags. These indicate safe and supervised swimming areas. Areas outside these flags might conceal dangerous currents and tides. Only swim in areas where other people are present.
• Surfers and body-boarders shouldn’tsurf in areas where bait and game fish are running, where seals are present, or seabirds are diving.
• If you find yourself in trouble, raise your arm to attract the lifeguards' attention and don’t panic.
• If you see someone in trouble in the sea, alert the lifeguards or find help. Don't put your own life in danger as well.
• Don't swim or drive motor boats while under the influence of alcohol. It dulls the senses and slows reaction times. Remember: Alcohol isn’t allowed on Western Cape beaches. If you’re found with alcohol, you will be fined, and your alcohol confiscated.
• Know how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until help arrives.
• Don't dive from tidal pool walls, as this has been known to result in spinal injuries. Swim only at low tide when no waves are breaking over the walls. The pools provide a safer option to swim in than the oceans, as the currents are kept at bay.
• Don’t take out small or unstable boats far from shore in choppy water or stormy weather.
• Ensure that you protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun. Too much sun can cause sunstroke/heat stroke. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, excluding alcoholic drinks.
• Stay indoors during the hottest time of the day, and if you do go out make use of sunscreen, hats and other attire.

Swimming pool and diving area safety

• Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Always obey the superintendent's instructions.
• Don’t swim under or near the diving boards.
• Only 1 person should be on a diving board at any given time.
• Don’t jump or dive to the side of the diving board.

Leave it better than how you found it

We're fortunate to have the Western Cape coastline as part of our home. Let's all pitch in to keep our beaches clean and clear of any litter, because litter can cause a safety hazard to humans and marine life, especially glass and plastic. Remember to leave it better than how you found it - if you see it, pick it up.

Rip currents

According to theNational Sea Rescue Institute(NSRI), rips develop anywhere where there are breaking waves.The "rivers" of current areproduced by water draining from the beach and back outto sea. Rip currents arenot “undertow” and will not pull you under the water.Here are some tips from the NSRI:

How to spot a rip current:

Although not always detectable, strong rip currents have the following signs:

• Water through a surf zone that is a different colour than the surrounding water.
• A break in the incoming pattern of waves.
• Seaweed or debris moving out through the surf zone.
• Isolated turbulent and choppy water in the surf zone.

What to do when caught in a rip current:

• If you’re caught in a rip current the main thing to do is to stay calm and relax.
• Swim slowly and conservatively, parallel to the shoreline or relax and let it carry you out past the breakers until it slacks.
• If you can tread water or float, you’ll be safe until you can escape the flow and head back to the beach.
• When you head back in, do so at an angle to the shoreline. Again, maintain a slow and relaxed pace until you reach the shore or assistance arrives.
• Always make sure you're swimming where lifeguards are on duty. Remain calm and raise your arm to attract the lifeguards' attention.

Shark safety tips

• Don’t swim, surf or surf-ski when birds, dolphins or seals are feeding nearby.
• Don’t swim in deep water beyond the breakers.
• Don’t swim if you’re bleeding.
• Don’t swim near river mouths.
• Don’t swim, surf or surf-ski near areas where trek-netting, fishing or spearfishing is taking place.
• If a shark has recently been sighted in an area where no shark spotters are present, consider using another beach for the day.
• First-time visitors to beach areas should ask the local law enforcement officials, lifeguards or locals about the area.
• Always obey beach officials.
• For kayaking or surf-skiing far out to sea, consider paddling in groups and staying close together (in a diamond formation).
• Consider using a personal shark shield when you go surfing or kayaking.
• Pay attention to any shark signage on beaches.

Shark spotter flags:​

Reporting emergencies
Make sure you keep emergency numbers memorised or saved for urgent assistance.

Call107from a landline or021 480 7700from a cell phone.
You can also dial 112 from any cellphone, irrespective of your network.
Dial 10111 for ambulance services.

NSRI Emergency Operation Centre: 087 094 9774
NSRI bases Western Cape:
082 990 5952 Agulhas
082 990 5980 Air Sea Rescue Unit
082 990 5962 Bakoven
072 448 8482 Gordon’s Bay
082 990 5967 Hermanus
082 990 5964 Hout Bay
082 990 5979 Kommetjie
082 990 5956 Knysna
060 960 3027 Lamberts Bay
082 990 5958 Melkbosstrand
082 990 5954 Mossel Bay
082 990 5966 Mykonos
082 990 5975 Plettenberg Bay
082 990 5965 Simon’s Town
082 990 5978 Still Bay
082 990 6753 Strandfontein
082 990 5963 Table Bay
072 446 6344 Theewaterskloof Dam
082 990 5955 Wilderness
082 990 5957 Witsand
082 990 5974 Yzerfontein

Sources:City of Cape TownandNational Sea Rescue Institute