Water Safety and Dangerous Shallows

By Richard Moore

With the summer holidays upon us it is the perfect time for a reminder on swimming safely and taking care when messing about in waterholes or streams.

The most obvious are the basics for being careful at the beach: 1) only swim at patrolled beaches, 2) swim between the red and yellow flags, 3) never take to the water alone and 4) watch for rips.

The last of those points, rips, are very dangerous as they can suck people caught in them straight out to water that is far from the shore.

One of the key things to remember is not to panic and struggle against a rip unless you are a very strong swimmer. Rips will carry you out but, often, will not be too far beyond the breaker line, where their energy dissipates. From there you can work your way on to shore at an angle.

Tips for recognising rips:

• darker colour, showing deeper water
  
• murky water caused by stirred-up sand
  
• smoother surface/smaller waves, adjacent to white water
  
• waves breaking out to sea on both sides of the rip
  
• a rippled look, when water around is calm

But it isn’t just in deeper water that danger lurks - and we are not talking about sharks, stingers or blue-ring octopus; we mean injuring yourself while playing, jumping or diving in shallow, or seemingly deep, water.

If you jump or dive into an area you haven’t checked for depth or hidden objects, then you run the very real risk of serious injury.

Our spinal cords are vital to our bodies working properly - sending signals between the brain and the body to ensure we can touch, see, move, speak, eat and breathe - and damage to it often means paralysis of some kind.

One example of a diving accident is the case in Sydney of a young man who became a quadriplegic (paralysed both arms and legs) after diving through a wave only to hit his head upon a sandbar damaging his spinal cord. There were flags indicating it was okay to swim, however, he was out 15 metres from shore.

A Perth youth became a tetraplegic after a diving accident at Cottesloe Beach where he jumped from a groyne, or breakwater, and damaged his neck.

Whatever the reason for the accident - poor signage or markings have been blamed - it is up to you to check water levels and objects for yourself. You are the one who will end up disabled, and it is your responsibility.

Surf-lifesavers’ Beach Safety Tips:

• Always swim or surf at a patrolled beach
  
• Swim between the red and yellow flags
  
• Never swim alone
  
• Obey safety signs.
  
• If unsure of conditions ask a lifesaver
  
• Don't swim intoxicated
  
• Don't run and dive in water
  
• If you get into trouble in the water, don't panic and signal for help (raise a hand), float and wait for
• assistance
  
• Use high-factor sun screen and wear a shirt and hat
  
• Float with a rip current or undertow. Do not swim against it

And remember if you break your neck, or badly damage your spinal cord, the results can be devastating. Your life will be changed irrevocably with freedom, independence and a lack of control of your own body. It can be that bad.

Not only can you no longer use your legs, or arms and hands, but going to the toilet can occur anywhere and at anytime and sometimes you will spend your life in a hospital with a machine breathing for you.

Like many Australians and New Zealanders this summer season, the beach will be the place to be - and we're lucky to be spoilt with such pristine natural wonders. But it's pays to be sensible and aware of the potential hazards when swimming in water … as a moment's fun can end in a lifetime of misery.

Links:
Australian Water Safety Council
Royal Lifesaving (water safety)