We've compiled the best water safety tips we could find. Follow this advice and you have a better chance to enjoy your swimming and other water sports.

Health Tips

1. Don't swim or surf directly after a meal.
2. Don't swim or surf under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
3. Know your physical and mental limits.
4. Keep warm and use safety equipment where necessary.

Be Smart on the Beach

1. Choose a beach where lifeguards are on duty. Always swim or surf under supervision or with a friend.
2. Find out when and where it is safe to swim. If you are unsure of conditions, ask the lifeguards and follow their advice.
3. Never run or dive into unknown water.
   Even if you have checked before, conditions can change.
4. Don't take inflatables into the sea, you could be carried away by wind and tide.
5. If you get into trouble in the water, don't panic.
   Raise your arm for help, float and wait for assistance.
6. If you get cought in a current or undertow, stay calm. Don't try to swim against it, swim parallel to the beach. Signal for help.

Follow the Flags and Signs

1. Look for signs or flags telling you where it is safe to swim.
2. Read and obey the signs. Never swim where a sign says not to. Don't swim when the Red flag is flying.
3. Swim between the Red over Yellow flags. Bodyboarders belong there too.
4. Surfers should stay between the black and white flags.
5. Bodyboarders and surfers should stay with their board and not go out too far.

Keep Safe

1. Always let people know where you or your team are going and when you'll be back.
2. Never go swimming, fishing or boating on your own, or there will be nobody to help if you get into trouble in the water.
3. Ensure you go with friends. Even if they can't help out, they can go and get help.
4. You should never fool around or run beside water; you might trip and fall in.
5. Take care on the riverbank; it can be slippery or crumble.
6. Keep away from the edge of canals; the water is often very deep.
7. Beware of locks and weirs; the water flows very quickly.

1. Keep calm and think before you act.
2. Try to get help - shout "help, help" as loud as you can.
3. Reach out with a stick, a pole, a towel or clothing to pull the person to the edge of the water. Lie down and hold onto something to make sure you don't get pulled in.
4. If you can't reach the person and no-one comes when you shout for help, find the nearest telephone and ring 112 in Europe or 911 in USA.
5. Never jump into the water yourself. This is only the last resort if you're fully trained.

Waves are caused by wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. The longer, stronger and further it blows, the bigger the waves will be. There are three kinds of waves:
1. Shore Dump
   Where waves break with force and usually occur where beach is relatively steep. It can be dangerous to surf in these waves. They are a common cause of broken limbs and back injuries, take care!

2. Spilling Waves
   The crest of a spilling wave tumbles down the face. If the sandbank where it breaks is shallow, the spilling crest will form a 'tube'. These are the best waves for body surfing.

3. Surging Waves
   These never break, because the water beneath them is deep, but they can knock people off their feet and drag them back out.

A rip is a strong current running out to sea. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches. A rip usually occurs when a channel forms between the shore and a sandbar, and large waves have built up water which then returns to sea, causing a drag effect. The larger the surf, the stronger the rip. Rips are dangerous as they can carry a weak or tired swimmer out into deep water.

The following features will alert you to the presence of a rip:


1. Darker colour, indicating deeper water.
2. Murky brown water caused by sand stirred up off the bottom.
3. Smoother surface with much smaller waves, alongside white water (broken waves).
4. Waves breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip.
5. Debris floating out to sea.
6. A rippled look, when the water around is generally calm.

What to do if you get caught in a rip?

1. Don't Panic - stay calm.
2. Float with the current, don't fight it.
3. Swim parallel to the shore for about 30 - 40m until you reach the breaking wave zone, then swim back to shore or signal for help.
4. Remember to stay calm and conserve your energy.

The American Cancer Society recommends a 3-prong approach to sun protection. They suggest that you follow these simple tips:
1. "Slip" on clothes made of tightly woven fabrics,
2. "Slap" on a hat or hood that shades your face, neck and ears, and
3. "Slop" on 15+ SPF sunscreen.

   Now you're ready for swimming or splashing around on the beach for extended periods.

   The UPF Classification System
   UPF Rating	UV Protection	UV Blocked
   15, 20	Good Protection	93.3% to 95.8%
   25, 30, 35	Very Good Protection	95.9% to 97.4%
   40, 45, 50, 50+	Excellent Protection	over 97.5%
   Source: Australian Radiation Laboratory

Isn't just sunscreen enough?

No. Clothing is recommended because it can reduce exposure to a broad spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. While sunscreen remains an important part of a balanced sun protection plan, many organisations such as the American Cancer Society, the Skin Cancer Foundation and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend wearing tightly-woven protective clothes.

Sunscreen originally blocked only UVB rays, the ones that cause a tan or sunburn. UVA rays were thought to be safe, but a few years ago scientists learned that UVA rays are dangerous. Now most sunscreens block some UVA rays, but not all of them, and scientists still don't know whether the most dangerous UVA rays are being blocked.

Sunscreen may contribute to Skin Cancer

Recent research suggests that sunscreen may not prevent melanoma, and may even contribute to the increase in melanoma rates because it gives a false sense of security and it allows people to stay out in the sun longer and be subjected to more damaging sun rays. In fact, melanoma rates have increased dramatically since sunscreens became popular.

Research indicates that most people do not apply enough sunscreen to achieve the desired SPF, and in practical use often achieve an SPF protection equivalent to between 3 and 7. The average adult needs to apply more than one ounce per application and frequent reapplication is required. And sunscreen is hard to apply properly; it is easy to miss a spot and end up with sunburn!

Sunscreen Effectiveness

Water, wind, heat, humidity, and altitude can decrease sunscreen's effectiveness and it rubs off, sweats off, rinses off and fades away making it necessary to reapply regularly. Studies also show that many people apply sunscreen after sun exposure begins and may take up to one hour to apply it to their children.

Since sunburn can occur within minutes, a large quantity of sunscreen must be applied to all family members before going outside. Besides the expense of trying to use sunscreen effectively, it is often a hassle; especially with small children!

In addition, sunscreen is chemical based, protective clothing is not; the tight weave of the material provides the sun protection. A small percentage of people may be sensitive or allergic to some of the active ingredients in sunscreens. Furthermore, experts recommend that parents refrain from using sunscreen on infants under 6 months old and instead rely on protective clothing and keep them out of direct sunlight.

For all these reasons, it makes sense to wear protective clothing, the sunscreen that never wears off!