HM Coastguard’s Bank Holiday weekend safety tips could save your life
HM Coastguard is reminding the public of its top safety tips to avoid spoiling the final days of summer, with many of us expected to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend at the coast.
With the Met Office forecasting
largely dry and sunny weather between August 27 and 29, it is seriously
tempting to squeeze in some time on the beach.
But before heading out, remind
yourself of the best ways to stay safe while enjoying the UK’s coastline. It
can be stunning one moment and scary the next.
Claire Hughes, Director of HM
Coastguard, said: “Regardless of how well you know the coast, or how
experienced you are in your chosen sport, the sea can still catch you out, the
cliffs can prove treacherous and even a momentary lapse of concentration can
put you into difficulty.
“We will always respond to
those in need but please remember the choices you make may put you and the
people you care about at risk.
“Enjoy the final days of summer
but stay safe and call 999 if you need us.”
Below are 15 tips to avoid a
Bank Holiday weekend from hell. Take a moment to read them – they could help
save a life.
A busy Bournemouth beach in the past. Credit: Free to use/contributed |
1 - Be prepared
Make sure you check weather and
tides before you set out, wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Always take a
phone or other means of calling help. If you’re heading for a swim, go to a
lifeguarded beach.
2 - Float to live
The RNLI recommends following
five simple steps if you’re struggling in the water:
- Fight your
instinct to thrash around
- Lean back,
extending your arms and legs
- Gently move
your arms and legs to float if you need to
- Float until
you control your breathing
- Only then
call 999, shout for help or swim to safety.
3 - Leave inflatable
boats and toys at home or take them to a pool
Blow up boats and toys can be
easily swept out to sea, especially in an offshore wind – when the wind is
blowing from land out to sea. Our advice is to leave them at home – they are
safer in swimming pools.
If it does happen, stay with
the inflatable, shout for help and wave your arms. Make sure someone on the
shore is keeping an eye out.
4 - Keep a close eye on
your children
Ensure that your children are
well supervised at the coast. Agree a recognisable meeting point in case people
become disorientated. You may want to take advantage of local wristband schemes
for younger children.
5 - Don’t encourage
tombstoning or bow to peer pressure
There’s a reason it’s called
‘tombstoning’. Jumping from piers, cliffs, rocks or other structures into the
sea can be very dangerous.
You don’t know what’s lurking
under the water until you are hurt, or worse. Cold water shock can take hold
and currents can sweep people away.
Don’t bow to peer pressure or
set a dangerous example for young children.
6 - Swim parallel to
the beach and be wary of currents
Swim on a lifeguarded beach if
you can and stay within your depth. Swim parallel to the shore.
If you get caught in a strong
current or rip current try to stay as calm as you can, raise your hand and
shout for help. Hold on to your surf or body board if you have one.
If you can’t get help, try and
swim parallel to the beach until you’re out of trouble then swim to the shore.
If you can stand up, wade instead of swimming.
7 - Follow our safety
advice on coastal paths
Remember to wear sturdy shoes
or boots and check the weather forecast and tidal times before you set out.
Carry a mobile phone and tell someone where you are going and what time you
will be home.
Do not attempt to climb up or
down cliffs unless you are properly equipped and trained to do so.
Do not attempt to climb cliffs
as a short cut back to the top.
8 - Beware of cliff
falls
You shouldn’t stand less than
the height of the cliff away when you’re at the bottom of a cliff face. That
means that if the cliff is 25 metres high, don’t go closer than 25 metres
towards it.
The cliffs along the UK
coastline are continually eroding, with pieces falling from them that can be
just a few small rocks or as large as a car. It’s impossible to predict when
the next piece might fall or how big it will be.
Don’t take unnecessary risks on
cliff edges or at the base of cliffs.
9 - Wear a personal
flotation device if you need to
Lifejackets are appropriate for
those on a sailing yacht or motor cruiser or when going ashore in a yacht tender.
Buoyancy aids are suitable where there is a chance you will get wet; kayakers,
canoeists, rowers, dinghy sailors, PWC riders and the like should wear buoyancy
aids as recommended by their sport’s national governing body.
All buoyancy aids and
lifejackets should be regularly maintained. Check with an expert, instructor or
the manufacturer if you’re unsure about what’s right for you.
10 - Keep your dog on a
lead and leave animal rescues to the experts
Dog walkers should stay away
from cliff edges, which can be crumbly or slippery when wet. Keep your dog on a
lead near cliffs.
If a pet is being washed out to
sea, don’t attempt a rescue yourself. You are likely to get into difficulty.
Many dogs return to shore alive but some owners do not.
As always, call 999 and ask for
the Coastguard.
11 - Stay calm if you
get stuck in mud
Stay calm, try and spread your
weight as much as possible and avoid moving. Call 999 and ask for the
Coastguard.
Anybody trapped should also
discourage other well-meaning members of the public from attempting to rescue
them because without the proper equipment they could become stuck too.
12 - Surf at
lifeguarded beaches and with instructors if needed
Wherever possible, surf at a
lifeguarded beach and follow the advice of the lifeguards. If you’re a
beginner, never hire a surfboard without being given instruction or a lesson
from an approved British Surfing Association or International Surfing
Association school or qualified instructor. Surf between the black and white
flags.
Always wear a leash to prevent
you from losing your surfboard (or body board). For you, your board is a safety
device, for other water users it is a lethal weapon. If you get into
trouble never abandon your board - it will keep you afloat. Wave your hand and
shout for help.
Always surf with others, don’t
surf between the red and yellow flags and never drop in on another
surfer.
13 - Don’t mix alcohol
and the sea
The sea and alcohol do not mix.
We advise against setting out to sea if you have been or are drinking alcohol.
If you have been drinking, your judgement will be impaired and you will be more
likely to make mistakes, which at sea could be life-threatening. Alcohol is a
contributory factor in a significant number of coastal drownings every
year.
14 - Plan ahead for
paddleboarding
If you’re going paddleboarding,
cold water shock doesn’t discriminate – it can be dangerous for experienced
paddleboarders and beginners alike.
Ideally wear a wet suit, a
flotation device and a leash so you can stay with your board. Stick to one
person per board.
We recommend checking the tides
and conditions in advance, as well as having someone with you in case you need
help. But if you go alone, tell someone where you’re going, when you expect to
return and always carry a charged-up mobile phone in a water-proofed bag so
you’re always able to make contact.
15 - Call 999 and ask
for the Coastguard in an emergency
Perhaps the most important tip
of all – if you find yourself in an emergency, or spot someone else in trouble
at the coast or in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Don’t assume someone else has made the call.
Notes To Editors
- More detail on cold water shock is available online via HM Coastguard.
- Specific advice for paddleboarding is also available in more detail.
- Check the weather and tides online.