Member News

Whether one lives in Dubai or are here on holiday, everyone thinks it is an exciting, active, safe city, guaranteed sun, fantastic beaches and sea. 

The sea here is normally calm and predictable, but it is not without dangers, and we should always do our proactive safety checks.

Beach safety rules

• Know where and how to check the weather forecast, tides and surf report PRIOR going to the beach.  
• Swim at Patrolled beaches, between the red & yellow flags. 70% of global drownings occur on non-patrolled beaches.
• Go say "Hi" to the Lifeguard, ask about the conditions. 
• Buddy Up. ALWAYS swim with someone. 
• No Floaties/inflatables in the sea 
• Know your limits

If you see someone in trouble, dial 998 or alert the lifeguards 

*** RIPS ***

Globally, 80% of all surf rescues and 80% of all beach drownings are caused by people caught in RIPS.

Most people have heard of Rips and know they are very dangerous.

Less than 18% of beachgoers globally actually know how to Identify a Rip!!

Rips are formed by interactions between the sea and the shape of the shore bed / beach.

Rips return water back offshore that has been brought to the beach by breaking waves.

The bigger the surf, the stronger the Rip.

On a windy day when the surf is choppy, they can be harder to spot.

Usually, sandbanks are formed adjacent to Rip Currents.

How to Identify a RIP:

• Calm patches in the surf with waves breaking each side. The calm gap with lack of waves may look safe to swim BUT a small patch of calm water in amongst surf or waves is often a Rip current. 
• Still waters run deep!! It may look nice, calm and pretty, but...
• A ripple pattern on the sand or small holes.
• Discoloured or foamy water. Deeper, darker water with less waves breaking between areas of white water. The discoloration is created by the current picking up sand in the water as it moves out to sea.
• Rocky Headlands. Rip currents are also common in areas with piers, jetties, headlands and anything else that sticks out from the beach that could catch a longshore current and start flowing away from shore.

Rip Survival Plan - The Three R's:

Perhaps easier said than done; NEVER PANIC, STAY CALM.

DON'T SWIM AGAINST IT.

RELAX & FLOAT, to conserve your energy. The Rip current will not pull you under the water, it’s just taking you for a ride offshore. Don’t swim against the current back to shore; this uses energy that you may need to stay afloat before help arrives. Most people can float for a lot longer than they can swim!

The best way to float is to tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Relax and breathe normally and spread your arms and legs. Gently move your hands to help you stay afloat if you need to. 

RAISE YOUR HAND, Signal for help by Raising your hand up straight to attract the attention of lifeguards. Don't be afraid to shout for help too if you can see someone nearby.

RIDE the Rip, then swim safely out of danger and return to the shore. Or whilst in the Rip’s neck try swim to the side and parallel to the shore, to break out of the Rip. There is no “one option fits all” as each rip is different. Instead, there are options depending on the conditions and the swimmers level of expertise.

Look for breaking/rolling waves to push you back to shore

https://www.theoceanwarriors.com/