Staying safe at the Beach

Lifeguards look at the conditions on the beach and raise their red and yellow flags to mark out the safest part of the beach for you to swim and where they will be watching you.

If there are no flags, it’s best to not get in the water as lifeguards are not around to help if you get into trouble.

Solid red flags mean do not swim

Solid yellow flags mean caution is required and potential hazards may be present

Red and white flags mean evacuate the water immediately

Black and white flags indicate an exclusion zone for surfers and other people using surf craft this is usually to keep swimmers safe.

Your safety is your responsibility, and you must take note of the safety signs and warnings.

When visiting the beach, it’s important to read the safety signs in place to learn about the dangers at that location. There are lots of signs and symbols at Australian beaches, here is some information to help you understand what these mean.

Boat Ramp

Boat in the Area

Child Supervision

Deep Water

Groynes

Incoming Tides

Large Breaking Waves

No Diving

Red & Yellow Flags

Sandbars

Shallow Water

Slippery Rocks

Slipper Surface

Stairs

Steep Access

Steep Water Edges

Strong Currents

Submerged Objects

Swimming Not Advised

Unstable Cliffs

Uneven Ground

Unprotected Edge

Variable Water Depth

How to identify a rip current

Rip currents are one of the greatest, and most common, hazards on Australian beaches. At any given time, there are approximately 17,000 rip currents across the 11,000 beaches in Australia. Yet, two out of three people can’t spot a rip current, and half of all people don’t always check for rip currents before getting in the water.

A rip is formed when the water from waves reaches the shore and needs to find a way back out to sea. The water flows into deeper channels, causing rips to form.

To spot a rip current, look for where the waves are breaking consistently, then look to each side where they appear calmer and aren’t breaking consistently. Those areas are rip currents.

Look out for:

  • DARKER WATER. All the water from the waves needs to go somewhere, and it cuts out a path on the seabed making deeper, darker channels for the water to flow through back out to sea.
  • GAPS BETWEEN WAVES. Areas that seem calmer with no waves are a classic sign of a rip current. No waves means the water is flowing out to sea.
  • CLOUDY WATER. Sandy coloured water is another sign of a rip as the water rushing back out to sea gathers a lot of sand and other debris.
  • RIPPLED SURFACE surrounded by smooth water. The ripples on the water are a sign of many different currents all heading in different directions.
  • FEWER BREAKING WAVES. The rip current in the darker, deeper water where the water from the incoming waves is heading back out to sea, so there aren’t many breaking waves as other areas.
  • If you ever find yourself caught in a rip at a patrolled beach, stay calm and raise your arm to seek help.
  • To escape a rip, you can either float with the current until it releases you or swim parallel to the shore towards breaking waves, and use the waves to help you in.
  • STOP to check for rip currents. LOOK for other dangers. PLAN how to stay safe.
  • Rips can change shape and location quickly and may be difficult to see, so the best way to protect yourself against being caught in a rip is to swim between the red and yellow lifeguard flags at a patrolled beach whenever possible – the lifeguards raise their red and yellow flags away from any rip currents.
  • If you’re in doubt, it’s best to not get in the water.
  • On average, rip currents are responsible for at least 21 drownings deaths in Australia each year.
  • In addition, lifeguards perform countless rescues each and every year to assist swimmers who have been caught in rip currents.

Swimming at the beach

Knowing how to stay safe on the beaches in this region could save your life, and the life of a loved one. Your safety is your responsibility, and it’s important you take note of the safety signs and warnings for each beach to make sure you can enjoy these beautiful locations safely.

  • Where possible swim between the red and yellow flags at beaches patrolled by lifeguards and lifesavers, during patrol times.
  • Look for and read the safety signs.
  • Recognise hazards and dangers.
  • Save alcohol consumption until after your aquatic activity, as it affects your swimming ability and judgement.
  • Avoid swimming alone, as no one would be able to assist you or call for help in an emergency.
  • Avoid swimming at night.
  • Head to beachsafe.org.au or the Beach Safe App to find your closest patrolled beach.

Reminder about the risk of rockfalls from fragile cliffs

A reminder about the risk of rockfalls from fragile cliffs along the Surf Coast. There are concerns about the potential for landslides and rockfalls along some of the beaches along the Surf Coast.

Recent heavy rainfalls have added to the fragility of these cliffs. We urge beach goers to remain vigilant and take adequate steps to avoid the likelihood of an accident.

It is important for everyone to avoid being in close proximity to cliff edges, do not stand or sit under coastal cliffs and refrain from being stationary within 10m from the base of coastal cliffs.