If in doubt, don’t go out

UNSW Sydney

Thinking of swimming at unpatrolled beaches this summer? Don’t do it until you know the risks.

There’s no doubt the ‘swim between the flags’ message has kept millions of people safe when visiting one of Australia’s beaches patrolled by lifeguards and lifesavers.

But last summer, 54 people drowned in 90 days along the Australian coast. All of them occurred in unpatrolled locations, including 78 per cent on beaches.

Professor Rob Brander – aka Dr Rip – is a surf scientist with UNSW Sydney’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences. He has studied the rip current hazard on beaches from both physical and social science perspectives for the past 30 years.

“We know from studies we’ve conducted that there are two primary reasons that people continue to swim at unpatrolled beaches – where there are no flags or lifesavers.

“The first is that the beach is the closest one to their holiday accommodation. The reality is that people don’t jump in their car and drive 20 minutes to the nearest patrolled beach.

“The second main reason is they actively choose beaches that are quiet and away from the holiday crowds.

“So while ‘swim between the flags’ is a great message and keeps us safe on patrolled beaches, we need to accept the fact that there are many popular and accessible unpatrolled beaches, and that people will always visit them.

“We don’t want to encourage people to swim at unpatrolled beaches, but we need to come up with some practical advice about how they can be safer when visiting them.”

Prof. Brander points to the Surf Life Saving Association’s Think Line Campaign as a great start, and the organisation has started setting up emergency response beacons (ERBs) at beaches in NSW that allow people on the beach to communicate directly with the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre in an emergency.

“The Think Line is a simple concept that applies to any beach. You don’t cross the road without looking both ways, so when you first arrive at a beach you need to stop and think about beach safety and look for any hazards. You also need to have a plan if something goes wrong,” Prof. Brander says.

Ask yourself the following questions…

1. Are there any flags or lifeguards?
2. Did you see any signs saying beach closed or no lifeguard on duty?
3. What’s the surf like – are the waves too big for you?
4. Are you with people or alone? Are there other people on the beach?
5. Are there any floatation devices nearby – surfboards, boogie boards, a cooler or anything that floats?
6. Do you have mobile reception?
7. Is there an Emergency Response Beacon on the beach to alert emergency services?
8. Are you a strong swimmer?
9. Do you know how to spot a rip?

Prof. Brander says your answers to these questions should give you a better sense of the type of risk you’re taking by swimming at an unpatrolled beach.

But there’s one scenario where Dr. Rip’s advice is much more forthright.

“If you’re alone on the beach, and there’s no one around, and you’re not a surfer or an experienced ocean swimmer, and you think it might be OK to go in the water – don’t!

“If you get stuck in a rip, there’s no one going to be able to save you. So if in doubt, don’t go out.”