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While water safety principles are universal worldwide, the way beaches are managed, marked and lifeguarded can vary considerably from one destination to another. For families, that means one important rule: don’t assume that a beach works the same way as your familiar Dubai spot.

Beach flags are a good example. Their colours, meanings and systems can vary between countries and even between individual beaches. A flag that means one thing in one destination may have a different meaning elsewhere, while some beaches may have no formal flag system at all.

While colours can vary slightly between countries, you’ll generally see:

Red Flags – No swimming. Conditions are dangerous and the water is closed.

Yellow Flags – Exercise caution. Swimming may be permitted, but conditions may be challenging, particularly for children or weaker swimmers.

Red & Yellow Flags – Conditions are considered suitable for swimming between these flags, although sensible precautions should always be taken.

Red & White Flags – Evacuate the water immediately.

Black & Yellow Flags – Surfcraft riding area boundary. Exercise caution.

Many beaches also display signs warning of strong currents, jellyfish, rocks or other hazards. If you’re visiting a beach for the first time, don’t be afraid to ask the lifeguards about local conditions – they’re there to help.

What if the conditions change?

One important point many families overlook is that even calm-looking water can hide powerful currents. The sea isn’t static, and conditions can change throughout the day depending on the wind, tides and weather.

You need to be aware of these and know your limits. Cold water, strong currents, waves and unfamiliar surroundings can affect even experienced swimmers.

If you do find yourself being pulled away from the shore by a current, the instinct to swim directly against it can quickly lead to exhaustion. Instead, try to stay calm, float if you need to regain your breath and, where appropriate, swim parallel to the shoreline to move out of the strongest part of the current before making your way back towards shore. If you are unable to make progress, signal for help by raising an arm and calling out.

If you become tired, overwhelmed or are struggling to stay afloat, stop and focus on floating. Turn onto your back, keep your head back with your ears in the water, and use your hands to help you stay afloat while you regain your breathing and assess what to do next.

And if you see someone else in difficulty, don’t automatically enter the water to try to rescue them. A person who is panicking in the water can unintentionally pull a rescuer under too. Alert a lifeguard or call the local emergency services, and if it is safe to do so, throw something that floats for the person to hold onto. A rescue ring or other public rescue equipment is ideal.

Know who is watching

Lifeguard provision can also differ. Some popular beaches have permanent professional lifeguards and clearly designated swimming zones, while others may only have seasonal or limited cover – or none at all.

Before allowing children into the water, take a few moments to locate the lifeguard tower and check the flags on display. These are there to help you make informed decisions based on current conditions. Children should always remain under active adult supervision, even when lifeguards are present.

For UAE families who spend much of the year around well-managed beaches and pools, travelling is a useful reminder that water safety starts with understanding your environment.

Whether you’re in the UAE or travelling overseas this summer, taking one minute to understand your surroundings before entering the water could make all the difference.

Stop. Look. Understand the conditions. Know your limits.

As the first Surf Lifesaving GB club outside the UK and the only Royal Life Saving Society UK accredited club in the UAE, Ocean Warriors teaches children and adults how to understand beach environments and make safer decisions in and around water – skills that last a lifetime.

Ocean Warriors returns for its new season on 11 September, with surf lifesaving and water safety programmes for ages 3 through to adults.

For more information and to book a free trial session, contact Paul at [email protected].