Person In The Water

If you see somebody in difficulty in the water DIAL 999 immediately and ask for the COASTGUARD. If you have someone else with you leave them at the scene keeping visual contact with the casualty at all times.

 DO NOT be tempted to enter the water yourself to try and help as you will be putting your own life at risk and adding extra casualties for the rescue teams. You will be more helpful being on scene when the coastguards arrive.   

Chinese Lanterns

Chinese lanterns are become increasingly popular at events to celebrate things like weddings or birthdays. When used on the coast these lanterns are often mistaken for distress flares and can tie up rescue service personnel and cause delays to other incidents.

If you intend to use lanterns at your event on the coast it is important that you inform the local coastguard. in the Scarborough area please do this by emailing us via the contact us page. Additionally we would like you to telephone the operations room on 01262 672317 just before and just after the release of the lanterns to confirm exactly when they have been used and avoid them being mistaken for distress flares.

Flares

Flares are an explosive device that can be very dangerous. There are many various types. The two most popular types are:-

Red 

 These are used strictly for distress purposes only. If you see one fired Dial 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard trying to state where and what time you saw it. Stay on scene until the coastguards arrive.

White 

These are used mainly at night time as a short means of light mainly on a search.

If you see any other explosive device on the coast contact the coastguard immediately and keep the area clear.

Missing Children

When you first arrive, arrange a meeting place so everyone knows where to go and wait if you become separated (e.g. lifeguard station or beach shop).

If you become separated from your child:
Try not to panic. Every year thousands of children are reported lost, but in most cases the children are found safe and well within a few minutes.

 Check the area around you or where you last saw your child.

 If you cannot find them, call 999 and ask for the coastguard, who will conduct a search.

    Give some basic information about your child to the lifeguards or coastguards to help speed up the search, including:
                                    • A description (age, clothing, name etc)
                                    • Time and place the child was last seen
                                    • Any special needs your child may have

If you go searching for your child make sure any other children you have with you are supervised, and report back to the lifeguards or coastguards at regular intervals. When you locate your child it is important to notify the lifeguards or coastguards immediately so they know to stop searching.

Be Sea Smart

Keep clear of cliff edges - they can be slippery when wet.

Don't drink and drown - eating and drinking before swimming may give you cramps

Check the weather and tides before you leave.

 Always tie inflatables to the shore and keep children in reach.

Rip Tides

      What is a rip current?:

A rip current or rip is a strong current running out to sea on a surf beach. It can easily take swimmers from shallow water out beyond their depth.

Rip currents are particularly powerful in larger surf, but can also be found near river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers and groynes.

Rip currents will exist in some form on all beaches where there is a surf zone.

 Spotting a Rip:

 Identifying a rip can be very difficult, even for experienced surfers and lifeguards; especially on a windy day. The following are common signs of the various types of rip currents:

 Murky brown water, caused by sand stirred up by the water movement.

Foam on the surface and extending beyond the break.

A break in the surf line where the waves are not as big.

Debris floating out to sea.

A rippled patch of sea, when the water around is generally calm.

 What to do if  caught in a rip:

Remember the safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags. Swim only on patrolled areas, if in doubt check with the duty Lifeguard as to conditions at your local beach.

If you are caught in a rip obey the three R’s:

1. Relax: - Try to stay calm and float, do not swim against the current swim across it.

2. Raise: - Raise an arm to signal for help.

3. Rescue: - Float and wait for assistance. Do not panic - people drown in rips because they panic. Obey directions from the rescuer.

If you think you are able to swim in, head down the beach until out of the effects of the rip and then make your way into shore.

 General:

Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured. This is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Rip currents can be terrifying because they catch you off guard. One minute you're bobbing along enjoying yourself in the surf, the next you're being dragged out to sea at top speed. Unlike violent, crashing waves, you probably won't notice a rip current until it is too late.

A rip current is a horizontal current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water, they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.

Rip currents and other surf zone currents are the cause of more than 50% on the incidents that RNLI Lifeguards have to deal with and are associated with a number of drownings each year.

If you see someone in difficulty get call 999 / 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.