Beach Safety

 Beach Safety Tips

• Learn to swim
• Swim near a lifeguard
• Never swim alone
• If you are in trouble, signal a lifeguard - call or wave for help
• Swim “within arms reach” of children
• Never allow a child to supervise another child
• Supervise children closely - lifeguards are not baby sitters
• Don't rely on flotation devices (rafts, tubes, noodles, etc.) you may lose them in the water
• Wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD)
• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current – “FLIP/FLOAT/FOLLOW”
• Swim in the designated areas. Stay clear of the boat and personal watercraft (PWC) lanes.
• Wear lots of sunscreen and protective clothing to shield the harmful effect of the sun
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
• Follow safety regulations and lifeguard directions
• NEVER dive into unfamiliar waters - Protect your head, neck, and spine - feet first, first time.
• Alcohol and swimming are dangerous
• No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass and bare feet don't mix
• No beach fires -- fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn unknowing patrons
• BBQ at the pavilion ONLY
• Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards
• Stay clear of coastal bluffs, they can collapse and cause injury
• Stay clear of the pier. Its location can contribute to significant structural Rip currents and other strong/dangerous currents.
• Swim during the hours that the beach is guarded by the Beach Rescue Service  and heed their advice.
• If you are ever unsure - ask a lifeguard!

 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 FLAG 

Lifeguard ON DUTY. Water conditions (currents/waves) are “safe” to swim.

YELLOW FLAG
Lifeguard 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 FLAG
Lifeguard 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”:

• FLIP = on to your back so your airway is exposed.
• FLOAT = on your back to conserve energy as the current will eventually release you in deeper water.
• FOLLOW = the waves on a angle back to shore

** Remember, if you are struggling in the water and need help:

• Face the shore
• Yell for HELP
• Look in the direction of the BRS observation towers and wave your arms to gain the attention of a Lifeguard.
• Stay calm and concentrate on keeping your head above the water.

 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:

• Face the shore
• Yell for HELP
• Look in the direction of the BRS observation towers and wave your arms to gain the attention of a Lifeguard.
• Stay calm and concentrate on keeping your head above the water.

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:

• Face the shore
• Yell for HELP
• Look in the direction of the BRS observation towers and wave your arms to gain the attention of a Lifeguard.
• Stay calm and concentrate on keeping your head above the water.