Know your flags
It is important to know the beach safety flags, used by lifeguards. Whenever possible, try to find a beach with a lifeguard or surf lifesaving club
and always obey their safety flags and signs. If you follow their simple advise, it will keep you safe at the beach and in the sea.
If there are no lifeguards, make sure you read and obey any safety signs you see at the entrance to the beach.
and always obey their safety flags and signs. If you follow their simple advise, it will keep you safe at the beach and in the sea.
If there are no lifeguards, make sure you read and obey any safety signs you see at the entrance to the beach.
Two flags on the beach shows the patrol area, suitable for swimming, bodyboarding and the use of inflatables. If you swim here, you know that lifeguards are watching over you. This area is deemed the safest place to swim.
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Red flagThe red flag indicates the sea is out of bounds. On no account must you enter the water as there is a real danger of drowning. This will be flown from the top of a lifeguard tower to indicate that the beach is closed or it is unsafe to swim.
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WindsockThis is becoming a more common sight on UK beaches. The windsock indicates offshore winds which can be potentially dangerous when using inflatables, stand up paddle boards or canoes, as they may be blown out to sea.
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Evacuate the WaterThis flag is more commonly used in other parts of the world where the water is warmer, however is always good to know. It's used to evacuate a beach in the event of shark sightings or large groups of poisonous jellyfish.
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