How to spot a rip: The safety tips you need at the beach this summer
Just three weeks into the summer, tragically there have already been 10 sea drownings across Australia’s beaches.
Five of these happened in NSW, three in South Australia, one in Tasmania and another one in Queensland.
Lifesavers say the early summer tragedies send a strong message that incidents can happen all too quickly, often before people know anything is wrong.
As the Christmas holidays approach, the nation's surf lifesavers have shared their beach safety tips to help swimmers spot rips and what to do if they are stung by a jellyfish.
Surf Life Saving Australia national coastal risk and safety manager Shane Daw encouraged people to swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags, and heed any safety signs.
These areas are identified as being relatively safe and also where lifeguards are watching for swimmers who may run into trouble.
Graham Ford AM, President of Surf Life Saving Australia urged Aussies keen to hit the beach over summer to swim between the red and yellow flags and wear a life jacket.
“We are imploring all Australians to take extra care when undertaking water related activities on our coastlines,” he added.
What do the flags mean?
Red flag: Beach closed
Yellow flag: Swim with caution, potential hazards in the water
Black and white quartered flag: Keep surfboards and similar craft out of the swimming area between the red and yellow flags.
Look out for additional warning signs, indicating hazards such as hidden rocks or stingers.
Rips
Mr Daw said learning to recognise a rip current is as important as is assessing safety conditions before entering any water.
"If you're unsure, stay out," Mr Daw said.
A rip is a channel of fast-moving water which moves directly away from the shore. They often appear as dark, relatively calm channels between breaking waves and can push inexperienced swimmers out into deep waters.
If you get caught in a rip, Surf Life Saving Australia advises swimmers to stay calm, let your body float and raise your arm to get the attention of lifeguards. Do not try to swim against the rip, but swim parallel to the shoreline towards the white water.
In a statement to Yahoo7, NSW Ambulance Inspector John Brotherhood said swimmers need to "look for rips, swim between the flags, and obey instructions from lifeguards".
"We know that physical activity increases the risk of things like asthma or cardiac arrest, and people need to understand that if these things happen while swimming, then obviously that greatly increases their chances of drowning," he said.
"The best advice is to err on the side of caution when it comes to assessing your own physical fitness in the water – because if you end up in trouble while in the water, the consequences can be dire, as these figures indicate."
Jellyfish
In tropical waters, the main dangers are deadly box jellyfish and irukandji, which are tricky to spot because they are invisible in the water.
Sticking to patrolled areas of the beach is recommended to help avoid marine stingers, according to Surf Life Saving Queensland.
In other waters, Bluebottle stings are more commonly found - and while painful, they are not deadly.
Experts suggest looking up and down the shoreline to see if you can spot jellyfish washed up on the beach. If you can see them, chances are they're in the water.
In any case, wearing a bodysuit or rash vest is good protection.
Some scientists and health authorities recommend pouring vinegar onto jellyfish stings because vinegar prevents any additional nematocysts from firing, however it won’t do much to help.
"That tentacle, whatever's come into contact with the skin, has already fired off its venom, so the vinegar is going to do nothing for that," SLSQ regional manager for Cairns Colin Sparkes told the Brisbane Times.
"What the vinegar does do is neutralise the unfired stinging cells, so that's why we apply the vinegar."
Vets have also warned to keep pets away from jellyfish prone areas, as the blobs can look tasty to dogs.
The Australian Resuscitation Council advised anyone stung to pick off the remaining tentacles and rinse the sting well with sea water only.
It warmed against using fresh water, as this can cause residual stinging cells to fire.
A cold pack in a dry plastic bag can also be used for pain relief.
If pain persists, ask a lifeguard for help or call Triple-0.
Anyone with irukandji or box jellyfish stings (common in the tropics) will need hospital treatment.
Sharks
While shark attacks are relatively rare, the marine predators are usually found around river outlets in dirty water, especially after a storm, so its best to avoid these areas.
Watch out for bait balls or schools of fish, which are often followed by sharks looking for a meal.
Once again, experts also say it is best to avoid swimming at dusk and dawn due to low visibility.
