The Central Elgin Beach Rescue Service (BRS) provides aquatic supervision/emergency medical response to all patrons in the surrounding waters off the Main Beach* in Port Stanley, as well as water safety awareness and education in the community. They post regular updates on Twitter (regarding weather conditions, etc)
Our beach rescue service monitor Main Beach from Canada Day to Labour Day:
Monday - Friday (10am - 6pm)
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays (10am - 8pm)
The breakwater is open April 1 - October 31. It is not accessible over the winter.
* Erie Rest, Little and Pumphouse beaches do not have a Lifeguard Service. Life safety equipment is provided at these beaches.
Lifeguards Always Have The Following |
All lifeguards possess:
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Beach Safety Tips |
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Beach Flag Codes |
The Central Elgin Beach Patrol is ON DUTY when flags are flying, regardless of the flag colour or water conditions. BRS will suspend their service during lightning storms; a public address will be made if/when lifeguards suspend and return to supervision duties.
GREEN FLAGLifeguard ON DUTY. Water conditions (currents/waves) are “safe” to swim. YELLOW FLAGLifeguard ON DUTY. CAUTION, water conditions are poor – Moderately strong currents have been identified and swimmers should take caution before entering the water. Learn about the hazards and swim close to shore with someone that could help in the event of an emergency.
RED FLAGLifeguard ON DUTY. DANGER, water conditions are hazardous – very strong currents have been identified on all areas of the beach. Swimming is dangerous, swimmers are advised to stay out of the water or swim at their own risk. |
Rip Currents |
A rip current is a relatively strong, narrow current flowing outward from the beach through the surf zone and presenting a hazard to swimmers. Rip currents are the cause of many tragic near shore emergencies in Port Stanley. With continuous wave action the volume of water increases on the shore and between sandbars. This high water volume tries to retreat back to the lake. Water will naturally find the weakest points between the sandbars and will carve a “trench” in the lake bottom to funnel itself back to the Lake. Rip currents are very strong currents, strongest at the surface of the water and in the "surf-zone". The strength of a rip current increases as the strength of the wind and waves increase and has been measured as fast as 8 feet/sec. Rip currents dissipate in deeper water, which is where it will deposit swimmers – in deep water. If caught in a Rip Current, swimmers should yell for help and “FLIP-FLOAT-FOLLOW”:
** Remember, if you are struggling in the water and need help:
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Littoral (aka Lateral) Currents |
Littoral currents move in a direction along with, and roughly parallel to, the shore. These currents move in the same direction as the force created by the waves and wind conditions. Littoral currents can be particularly strong in Port Stanley and can very quickly carry swimmers out of the immediate area into deeper and far more dangerous waters. Often the Port Stanley littoral currents are formed in shallow water, although they do exist in deeper waters offshore as well. Littoral currents are also formed near rip currents, as the water flows into the rip-area and then lakeward. If you get caught in a littoral current and can't free yourself, move with the current diagonally toward the shore.
** Remember, if you are struggling in the water and need help:
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Back-Rush Current (aka Undertow) |
A Backrush is a broad lakeward return of water after a landward motion of a wave. These are short-period currents created when waves are present. A backrush will not pull you under the water however it can unknowingly lure a swimmer into deeper water where crashing waves can be a threat to weak/tired swimmers. Since the force of the backrush is usually only present for a short distance, swimmers should swim diagonally to the shoreline and return to shore with the surging waves, to escape. Many swimmers attempt to fight the current and swim directly against it - this is not advised. Great Lake currents carry too much momentum and fighting them results in fatigue and increases the likelihood of exhaustion or drowning once a swimmer is carried into deeper water.
** Remember, if you are struggling in the water and need help:
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Inshore Holes |
Inshore holes, often near shore, are depressions, dug into the sand by wave action. They can occur at any depth. Swimmers can easily step from ankle deep water into depths over their head. |
Swimmers should follow the safety guidelines posted, and ask the Beach Rescue Service about hazards.