1 Always swim in line with the shore
2 Do not swim just after a meal or swim or play on or near groynes or breakwaters.
3 Children near water should always be supervised. They can drown in shallow pools left by the tide.
4 Be careful of potholes on sandy beaches covered by the sea.
5 Do not panic if in difficulty in the sea. Lie on your back, keep still, raise one arm and shout. Most of us float naturally if we keep still - try to look up as you lie.
1 Go with a friend
2 Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back
3 Read and obey notices and never cover them.
4 Report missing lifesaving equipment (and any one taking it or breaking it).
5 Do not leave litter on the beach. Glass and opened cans are very dangerous.
6 Do not touch strange objects, tell the coastguard or police about them.
7 Do not go out on air beds or other inflatables unless it is tethered to the shoreline and watched by an adult.
1 Check weather conditions with the coastguard/weather centre and listen to the weather forecast.
2 'Sign On' with the Coastguard Yacht and Boat Safety Scheme - information from any Coastguard Station.
1 Never try to teach yourself.
2 Wear a wetsuit.
3 Do not go out too far and be considerate of other water users.
4 Keep your rig in good condition and do not leave it unattended.
5 Never leave your board and attempt to swim ashore.

Back to Navigation - Back to the top of this article
Send an e-mail to this service
If you have any questions about this service you can send this department an e-mail here
Report a problem or suggest improvements to this webpage
Report any problems, improvements or suggestions you have for this webpage. These will all be read by our web team and we will try to help you or take on board your ideas