Australian beach safety tips from lifesaver go viral

An experienced surf lifesaver has offered his expert tips to avoid trouble at Australia’s beaches this summer, claiming many swimmers are unaware of how to spot danger.

Former lifesaver Kenny Jewell took to Facebook in 2015 to share what he believes are the key things to look out for to ensure you stay safe when out in the water.

But now, some two years on, his post has gone viral with millions online reading and taking on-board the key messages after a spate of drownings already this summer.

 

An experienced surf lifesaver has offered his expert tips to avoid trouble at Australia’s beaches this summer, claiming many swimmers (pictured) are unaware of how to spot danger

Ex-lifesaver Kenny Jewell (pictured) took to Facebook in 2015 to share his key tips for staying safe in the water (right), with his post going viral in recent weeks after a spate of drownings

With 10 people already drowning at beaches around Australia since the beginning of summer, it’s no wonder Mr Jewel’s post has gone viral on Facebook.

More than 500,000 people on social media have shared his message, which begins with a hint on how to pick dangerous waters while still standing on the sand.

‘The easiest thing to remember is that often the safest/calmest most enticing looking area along a beach is usually a rip,’ Mr Jewell wrote

‘A rip is usually the area void of wave activity and appears darker and deceptively calmer.

‘Always take 5-10 mins when you get to the beach to observe surf conditions and identify where these areas are.’

If you can’t pick danger until it’s too late, according to Mr Jewell the most important thing to do is to remain calm.

He says rips can move at three times the speed of an Olympic swimmer, so trying to fight against the water is useless. 

‘If you are caught in a rip, DO NOT PANIC. Go into floating mode and raise one arm as a distress signal when possible,’ the former lifesaver wrote.

More than 500,000 people on social media have shared his message, which includes hints on how to pick dangerous waters from the beach

Glenelg Beach in South Australia where two teenagers drowned in just eight days this summer

WANT TO STAY SAFE BY THE WATER? 

– The calmest areas are usual the most dangerous

– Rips can sometimes appear milky and are often darker in colour

– Take 5-10 minutes to observe water from the beach

– If you get caught in a rip do not panic and do not fight against it

– Raise your arm and let the rip run its course, it’s often not long

– Swim between the flags where possible, it could save your life 

‘See which direction the rip is taking you… once you have determined this, and if you have the energy, swim to the right or left of the direction of flow, never against.

‘Most rips won’t take you out very far, and will usually spit you out not long after they take you, so keep calm and save your energy.’

Urging beachgoers to swim between the flags where possible, Mr Jewell said while it may not seem to make any difference it can be a matter of life or death.

‘Obviously the safest place to swim is always between the flags on a patrolled beach, but this isn’t always practical given the immensity of our coast line,’ .

‘Of course there are many other factors that can come into play when it comes to beach safety, but rips are the No.1 killer. 

‘They are not hard to identify, and 10 mins observation before entering the surf is much easier than body retrieval.’

Five children aged 11 to 15 have lost their lives since December 6, while more than 30 Australians have drowned in coastal waters since July. 

Five children aged 11 to 15 have lost their lives at beaches since December 6, while more than 30 Australians have drowned in coastal waters since July

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