IMPORTANT BEACH TIPS: Everything you should know about safe bathing this season
From a list of manned beaches to important numbers - here's everything you should know about holidaying safely on the South Coast this festive season.
With the summer holiday season upon us, Tower 13 Lifeguard Services shares some tips on safe bathing this season.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: 10 Essential safety tips everyone living or holidaying on the coast should know
- Only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty. The temptation to swim at a non-patrolled beach is high due to overcrowding and the availability of parking, but Tower 13 strongly urges you to refrain from doing this.
2. Obey the instructions of the lifeguards They are at your beach year round and if bathing is closed, it’s for a reason. That reason is your safety, not because they are lazy and don’t want to do their jobs.
3. Only swim between the flags as they are indicating the safest place for you to swim.
4. Don’t try and be the bravest of the bunch and exceed your own capability. Remain as close to shore as you are comfortable with, don’t be that “one” that has to show everyone how far out they can swim.
5. Alcohol and water only mix in a glass. Please do not drink alcohol and then go swimming. It lowers inhibition and increases your opinion of your own ability. Please, this is a NO NO.
6. Always keep your children in sight, never leave this function up to others. YOU after all are the parents, not siblings or lifeguards. Children CANNOT look after children and there has to be an alert adult present with your children t all times.
7. Please use sunscreen and/or cover up during the peak times of the day. Nowadays bright pink, sunburnt skin is not the status symbol it used to be, look after your skin and your health, especially that of your children.
8. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, remain calm and do not panic, signal your request for assistance from the lifeguards by waving your hands over your head.
9. Never dive into unknown waters head first, always go feet first until you can ascertain the depth of the water – broken legs heal, broken necks don’t.
10. If you are allergic to bee stings, chances are you are allergic to marine stingers such as blue bottles. Please carry your medication with you.
The following is a list of the manned beaches, South to North:
Port Edward Main beach (Silver Beach), TO Strand, Kidds Beach, Glenmore, Trafalgar, Marina Beach, Umkobi Beach, Southbroom, Ramsgate Ski-boat Bay, Ramsgate main beach, Margate main beach, Lucien, Uvongo, St Mikes, Port Shepstone slide pools, Port Shepstone tidal pool, Umtentweni beach, Southport beach, Sunwich Port, Banana Beach, Umzumbe beach and Hibberdene beach.
From December 13 until January 18 the beaches will open for extended hours, from 7am to 6pm.
Important numbers:
Ray Nkoyeni Municipality Emergency Control Room: 039 6825555
NSRI Station 20 Duty: 082 9905950
Lifeguard Supervisors: 071 3140603 (from 7am to 6pm)
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