Some Statistics:
There are over 2000 lifeboat launches and 2500 incidents requiring Beach Lifeguard assistance on Britain's beaches each year. Most places are generally safe but care should always be excercised.
Incidents involving the Marine Emergency Services break down into:26% for people cut off by the tide and stranded
29% for rubber dinghies, air beds, inflatables, surfboards, rowing boats, etc.
45% for bathers, divers, waterskiers, people falling from cliffs, etc.
Publications available:
Safety on the Sea - Beach Safety Guidelines
Be Safe on the Beach and on the Coast
Be Safe Beside the Sea
Addresses at the end of this information.
The information which follows is taken from the above publications and other sources.
The Water Safety Code.
Don't go alone:
Swim with a friend - Never go on your own.
Make sure there are other people around - you never know when help might be needed.
Learn how to Help:
If you see someone in difficulty, tell somebody, preferably a lifeguard if there is one nearby,
or
Go to the nearest telephone, dial 999, ask for the Coastguard.
You can learn basic lifesaving and rescue skills. (see advice notes at the end of this information).
The North Cornwall District has over 70 miles of coastline boasting numerous beaches, bays and coves. Running from the Devon boundary down past Bude, Tintagel, Padstow and Trevose Head to Bedruthan Steps in the south it contains some of the finest beaches and best surf in Europe.
The A39 or "Atlantic Highway" runs close to the coast across the District providing good access to popular holiday beaches, secluded coves and rugged coastal paths.
North Cornwall beaches owe much of their unique characteristics to a combination of geographic and oceanographic positioning. The vast majority of the coastline faces due west – into the Atlantic Ocean. This provides an uninterrupted route for the waves formed by storms far out in the ocean to travel a thousand miles to the beaches, where they break on sand producing excellent surfing conditions. The sandy bays are surrounded by rocky points and headlands which concentrate the surf further, and are backed by spectacular cliffs and coastline.The headlands also provide shelter for a number of beaches, blocking the swell to give regularly calm conditions at the sheltered bays.
The beaches are home to an array of activities all year round, but particularly in the summer months when the sea warms up. Activities range from surfing to kayaking, body boarding, sea swimming and windsurfing. The wide sandy beaches are perfect for sports or more leisurely pursuits such as coastal walks or just relaxing in the sun.
Watching over those enjoying the beaches is the North Cornwall District Council Lifeguard Service . Over 50 lifeguards are provided on 15 beaches in the District from mid May until mid September, 7 days a week, from 10 am until 6 p.m. Each beach has modern safety and rescue equipment and offers patrolled bathing areas and surf craft areas to maximise safety. There are three Inshore Rescue Boat stations run by NCDC and a number of the beaches have 4 wheel drive lifeguard vehicles as well as rescue boards and rescue tubes.
Beaches covered are:
Sandymouth
Northcott Mouth
Crooklets, Bude
Summerleaze, Bude
Widemouth North
Widemouth South
Crackington Haven
Trebarwith Strand
Polzeath
Trevone Bay
Harlyn Bay
Booby's Bay
Constantine Bay
Treyarnon Bay
Porthcothan Bay
Each lifeguard is qualified to the highest standards in surf rescue and also in the use of defibrillators and oxygen equipment on the beach. All lifeguards operate VHF communications with the coastguard and other rescue services.
The District also has five Surf Lifesaving Clubs, providing volunteer lifesavers and training professional lifeguards.
For additional information contact:
Beach Safety Officer
NCDC Technical Services
Windwhistle House
Cooksland Road
Bodmin
Cornwall PL31 2RH
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Flags and Signs to Look Out For: |
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Red and yellow flags mean lifeguards are on patrol. You should only swim or boogie board in the area between the flags.
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The red flag means it is dangerous to bathe or swim. You should not go into the water.
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The quartered black and white flag indicates the area zoned for surf craft and malibu boards. It is not safe for swimmers and bathers.
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Signs for your safety should look like this.
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Checks by the sea
Take CareChildren need to be supervised by an adult at all times, especially near the sea. Toddlers can be knocked over by waves and can quickly drown - even in shallow water.
Make sure you always know where everyone from your group is - if anyone goes swimming or leaves the beach.
Beware of being trapped by the incoming tide, or the sea circling behind you. Find out about the tide times from tide tables, notice boards, Coastguard or our Elements Report. Always keep an eye on water levels.
Avoid rip tides and strong currents beneath the surface. Calmer water between areas of surf usually indicates a dangerous rip current which may carry you out to sea.
Watch out for large waves and the wash from passing vessels. They can sweep you off your feet even if you are standing somewhere safe.
Always swim close to the beach and in line with the shore.
Never climb cliffs - keep away from the edges - even gentle slopes can be dangerous when wet.
Never dive or jump from piers, groynes or breakwaters, etc., and take care when entering the sea.
Only use a snorkel if you are a good swimmer and the water is calm. Don't snorkel if you have breathing problems.
Keep some footwear handy - you may encounter Weever Fish particularly at low tides.
Don't swim -
Don't stay in the water too long. You will get cold and tired.
In the Sun
Inflatables and Boards.Inflatables - small rubber dinghies, air beds and other novelty inflatable toys.
Inflatables are fun but can be dangerous. The best advice is simple - Don't use them in the sea - keep them on the beach.
Remember:
A wind blowing off the land makes the sea look calm, flat and apparently safe - it can sweep an inflatable out to sea very swiftly.
It only takes a slight breeze to blow an inflatable out to sea.
Surf conditions are particularly dangerous for inflatables.
If an inflatable is swept out to sea, Don't go after it - If someone is on the air bed/inflatable call the Coastguard or tell the lifeguard.
Boards-
Check the tides and currents.
If you have a soft board/boogie board, stay with the board and don't go out too far. Keep within the zoned area for swimming, which may be indicated by the red/yellow flags.
If you have a large/malibu type board, use this within the zoned area shown between two black/white quartered flags.
Keep your board attached to your wrist or ankle by a strap.
Be considerate to other beach users, swimmers and board users.
If you see Someone in Trouble:
shouting for help
waving an arm above the head
orange smoke or dayglo orange flag or red flare
All signal that someone needs help.
Do not enter the water to rescue anyone. To do so would put you at risk.If you are on a beach not manned by Lifeguards, call the Coastguard by telephoning 999 and give the following information:
What you have seen - give a clear description.
Where you have seen it - and where you are telephoning from.
When you discovered the problem - how long before you have been able to telephone.
Who you are - your name.
Once you have given the above information, it is important to stay beside the telephone so you can be contacted again if necessary until emergency is over.
If Lifeguards are on patrol, call them at once.
If possible, arrange for someone to remain at the scene of the incident whilst help is summoned.
If you are on an unmanned beach where an emergency has occurred, check the area and locate the nearest telephone, Dial 999 and contact the Coastguard.Once you have called for help, you may be able to assist a person in trouble in the water.
Shout to reassure them. Tell them to keep their arms under the water.
Use Public Rescue Equipment (provided you are competent to use it)
Reach the person in the water with a stick or clothing tied together or any other device.
Throw a rope, buoyant device or something which floats.
Don't enter the water unless you are trained and competent to carry out a rescue.
When casualties have been removed from the water, keep them away from dangers, keep them warm, and send for or get medical help. Stay with them until help arrives.
What to do if you are in difficulty in the sea.Remain calm - try to float on your back, keep your arms under the water, and breathe steadily.
Do not exhaust yourself - if you are being swept out to sea - swim diagonally to the shore - not against the tide.
Attract attention by waving one arm only and shout for help.
Remember the Water Safety Code:
Spot the dangers
Take safety advice
Don't go alone
Most information on beaches in Cornwall will be restricted to the more popular places to visit.
What has hewn the coast? The Atlantic! It comes straight in at us and shapes our shores, sweeps our beaches clean twice daily, provides us with the sea conditions so many love and carries the warming waters of the gulf stream to us. It also brings some problems and the main one to consider is the tides.
The importance of checking the tide's times and strengths:
All beaches will give more visual benefit at low tides. There will be more sand and more space available, rock pools will be revealed as will the more interesting features of the area you are visiting.Arriving three hours before low tide will give you roughly six hours for the tide to ebb to low and flow back to where it was when you arrived; similarly if you wanted to spend four hours at your chosen place and gain the best of the low tide - arrive two hours before low tide. This is not always possible because the tides do not work to your behest!
Caves and coves especially at low tides.
Fascinating areas to explore but you must know your tide times and the state of the tides. Because this tide is always on the move be careful that you do not become cut off. On the popular beaches there will be someone to warn you, isolated areas mean that you have to be extra vigilant.Always remember the difference between spring and neaps (neaps are slower moving), and whether the tide is going out (ebbing) or coming in (flowing).
Failure to get your tidal information correct could lead to you being cut off with no way out of the place you are in.
You will always being going down hill to get to them., they being at sea level. Coming back up later, after a day in the sun, is never as easy as going down there, always remember to keep some energy in reserve.
The more inaccessible the spot the lighter the load you should carry.
Remoter places are certainly not covered by lifeguards and will have no facilities whatsoever.
They are often tranquil little beauty spots. You will gain very little from visiting them at high tide so choose a time which will get you there around the low tide mark.
We would advise that you recce any of these coves, havens, awns or inlets before you decide to spend the day there. Many of these places are entirely unsuited for children, elderly people or anyone with less than good health. Regardless of your health swimming at some of these coves can be dangerous and you should seek local knowledge as to whether swimming is dangerous. If you get into difficulty there is nobody on this earth who is going to be able to help you. Exercise extreme caution.
Tip.
Spend some time exploring some of these coves and inlets. Don't go overburdened. Think of fishing, photography, picnics. Take a map.
Gulls are aggressive when breeding and attack people. Gulls scavenge and spread illnesses like salmonella and botulism, they also carry fleas and parasites that spread from nests into homes. Gulls live a long time and double in number every five years. People who feed gulls might forget that those who live here are left with the problems long after they have gone home.
There are 56 beaches in Cornwall which operate dog bans, so that still leaves plenty of scope for dog owners. Dog bans operate between Easter Day and October 1st. The ban does not apply to blind person's guide dogs. Taking a dog on a beach where they are banned is punishable by a fine of up to £400.
The Tidy Britain Group issues Seaside Awards to beaches which are clean, safe and have good water quality. Whatever experience you are looking for, be it a fun filled day out with lots of facilities, or a wildlife walk on a remote beach, there will be a beach in Cornwall to suit your needs and which has the yellow and blue flag award of the Seaside Award. Wherever the flag is flying you can be sure that you are on one of Europe's best beaches.
Choose the type of beach you want to visit.
To earn a Seaside Award, a beach has to prove it has met high standards of water quality and beach management. because beaches are very different in character the Seaside Awards are split into two types:
A Resort beach attracts many visitors with its facilities and activities. Usually found near towns, resort beaches are often easy to reach by public transport. At an award-winning resort beach you can expect to find a cafe or restaurant, toilets and a variety of things to do, although the type of facilities depends on where the beach is situated. All Seaside Award Resort beaches have to 29 different checks.
A Rural beach, however, is quieter and usually enjoyed for its scenery rather than its facilities. Because of their rural nature, these beaches are often remote and may be more difficult to reach by public transport. They have to pass 13 different checks as they cannot be expected to have the same facilities as the busier resort beaches. Dogs may be allowed on some of these beaches.
High standards.
Award winning beaches can only fly their flag for one year and are reviewed annually. They are also checked during the summer to make sure they are still meeting the high standards. If a beach fails in any area then it has to take down the flag until it can prove that the problem has been solved.
There are five main areas which are considered before a Seaside Award beach can fly a flag: water quality, safety, management, cleanliness and information management.
The criteria:
* these criteria are not compulsory at rural beaches.
If you visit a Seaside Award Beach where any of these standards have slipped then please let someone know. The name of the council, beach manager or guardian will be on display at the information point and at resort beaches there is a supervisor who should be able to put the problem right.
For further information about the Seaside Awards and European Blue Flag contact:
Seaside Award Office
Tidy Britain Group
Seymour House
Muspole Street
Norwich. NR3 1DJ.
If you would like more information about learning water safety, life support and rescue skills including educational resources, contact:
The Royal Life Saving Society UKMountbatten House
Studley
Warwickshire. B80 7NN.
Telephone: 01527 853943
The Surf Life Saving Association of Great Britain
Varney House
115 Sidwell Street
Exeter. EX4 6RY.
Tel: 01392 254364.
The Royal Yachting Association
RYA House
Ramsey Road
Eastleigh.
Hampshire. SO50 9YA.
Telephone: 01703 627400
For additional information and educational resources, contact one of the following organisations:
The Coastguard AgencySpring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton. Hampshire. SO15 1EG.
Telephone: 01703 329401.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution
West Quay Road
Poole
Dorset. BH15 1HZ.
Telephone: 0 1202 663174
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Edgbaston Park
353 Bristol Road
Birmingham. B5 7ST.
Tel: 0121 2482000
The Beach Safety Advisory Committee (Devon & Cornwall)
3 Coombe Lane
Cargreen
Saltash.
Cornwall.
Telephone: 01752 848279.
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