Yay its summer one of the times we most enjoy. Ice Creams going to the beach, and much more. I am going to post about summer saftey, life gaurds RNLI and more. Please read it. Thank You :)
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Beach Saftey
General Advice
Keep clear of any cliff edges as they can be slippery when they get wet – cliffs around the UK are very high and do sometimes give way under foot.
Always swim close to the beach in line with the shore.
Don’t drink and drown - eating and drinking before swimming may give you cramps while you’re in the water – you may then be unable to get back to the shore.
Drinking Alcohol and going in the sea is dangerous, it slows your reactions, increase chances of hypothermia and your judgment of distance will be impaired
Check the weather and tides before you leave home – then you won’t get swept away.
Always wear sun cream, at least factor 15 or above, sunbath for short periods of time, use after tan lotion and wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs to prevent further exposure.
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Flags
Don't Go Alone
Whether you surfing, bodyboarding, swimming, playing on inflatables or just having fun in the sea, always have a friend with you, someone to look out for you and can go for help if you get into trouble.
If you don't have someone to accompany you, then make sure there are others around you, so you can get their attention if you get into difficulties.
Look out for those around you too, you could be that someone who gets help.
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Children
It is important for parents to supervise their children at all times and just as important for children to know where their parents are too. Thousands of children are lost every year, but most are found within few minutes too.
Try not to panic, remaining calm will allow you to be more effective in searching and giving details to the lifeguard or police
If you go searching for a lost child, then make sure any other children are properly supervised at all times
Search the nearby area first or where you last saw them. If you still cannot find them, then find the nearest lifeguard. They are normally located between the red and yellow flags. If there is no lifeguard on duty, contact the police.
Give basic information to the lifeguard or police to aid the search, including:
A description (age, clothes, appearance, name, etc)
Time and last known location, this helps to give an idea of how far they could of gone
Any special needs your child may have
If you find your missing child, please notify the lifeguard or police if they are aware of the missing child.
If you find a lost child, find the nearest lifeguard or contact the police immediately .
Inflatables
Inflatable toys, airbeds and dinghies are fun, but a bad idea when used in the sea, they are much safer in swimming pools. They can easily blown out away from the shore with the lightest of breezes.
If you insist on using them at the beach, please:
Tie them securely to the shoreline, ideally with an adult held onto the rope at all times
Make sure children are easily reachable at all times
Use inflatables between the red and yellow flags
Follow the advice of lifeguards
Never take inflatables out in strong winds or large waves
In an Emergency
Do not chase after the inflatable
Find a lifeguard or call 999 and ask for the coastguard
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If a orange wind sock is flying then DO NOT take inflatables out into the sea. There is a strong wind and a high risk of being blown out a dangerous distance from the shore.
Boat Saftey
Safety Checks before you leave could save your life, it's important to know your vessel, safety equipment and communications are all fully operational
Make sure everyone onboard knows how to use a life jacket, flares and operate the radio in case of an emergency
Check your vessel is in good order before you leave and do regular inspections when you can spend more time checking the safety of your vessel
Someone onshore is aware of your journey and times of arrival and departure
Check the weather
Everyone has warm and waterproof clothing
Check the engine is in good working order and does not need any maintenance
Make sure you have enough fuel and spare fuel
Carry an alternative means of propulsion like oars
Make sure you have enough lifejackets and emergency flares
Be sure all fire extinguishers are in date and ready for use
Check your radio equipment is operational
Check you have food and water incase you have spend more time at sea than your first anticipated.
Make sure you have a first aid kit and know how to use it
Check all cooking gas appliances are turned off at the source when not in use
In this day and age we have the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), it is a maritime communications system for all vessels. It is not just for emergency, it can be used for vessel to vessel or vessel to shore communications.
You can request help from the coastguard on Channel 16, also other vessels monitor this channel and if they are in the nearby area, can provide help
You can listen to Channel 67 for Coastguard weather reports
If you use a radio you need to obtain an operators certificate and an annual licence. For more information call the RYA on 0845 345 0400
Learn the Phonetic Alphabet to help provide vital information accurately
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Phonetics Alphabet
A Alpha (AL fah)
B Bravo (BRAH VOH)
C Charlie (CHAR lee)
D Delta (DELL tah)
E Echo (ECK oh)
F Foxtrot (FOKS trot)
G Golf (GOLF)
H Hotel (hoh TELL)
I India (IN dee ah)
J Juliett (JEW lee ETT)
K Kilo (KEY loh)
L Lima (LEE mah)
M Mike (MIKE)
N November (no VEM ber)
O Oscar (OSS cah)
P Papa (pah PAH)
Q Quebec (keh BECK)
R Romeo (ROW me oh)
S Sierra (see AIR rah)
T Tango (TANG go)
U Uniform (YOU nee form)
V Victor (VIK tah)
W Whiskey (WISS key)
X X Ray (ECKS RAY)
Y Yankee (YANG key)
Z Zulu (ZOO loo)
In an emergency the important thing is to remain calm, this will help your react correctly, make important decisions and also help keep other onboard calm as well.
Here are some pointers for various situations that may arise, for more comprehensive advice and free booklets call the RNLI on 0800 328 0600
Man Overboard!
Practice man overboard drills regularly this can be done with a bucket and a fender
Always wear a lifejacket
Be harnessed to the guardrail
Immediately throw a lifebuoy and it's attachments, also raise the alarm 'MAN OVERBOARD'
Alert emergency services
Start recovery maneuvers
If you are the only person left, do not leave the deck as you may lose sight of the casualty.
During darkness, a white parachute flare will illuminate the area and pick up any retro-reflective tape on the casualties clothing.
Instruct some to watch the person in the water and point continuously
Ensure crew are wearing lifejackets on deck whilst trying to recover the MOB.
If you have a boarding ladder and the casualty is able to pull themselves up, this is the safest and most obvious method
The casualty maybe suffering from shock and hypothermia, be prepared to give first aid if required
Lifting gear will need to be improvised if the casualty is exhausted or unconscious. A short strop with a block and tackle rigged on the end of a halyard will make it easier to get the casualty on board
A sling using ropes or a small sail can be made to roll the casualty up out of the water
What can the casualty do?
Remain calm
Look for a lifebuoy that maybe floating nearby
The greatest threat is the cold. Cross you legs hold your arms tightly together to restrict movement and prevent cold water flushing through and help prevent loss of heat. Tighten any wrist, ankle and neck fastenings
Use the light and whistle to attract attention
In most cases do not attempt to swim for the boat as this will promote rapid heat loss and exhaustion
In rough conditions turn your back on the waves to keep airways clear of sea spray
Mal da Mer!
Seasickness can affect anyone, particularly those with little to do, it may seem quite minor, but can become dangerous if essential crew become incapacitated. Sea sickness tablets work for some people and should be taken well in advance. Check the instructions for dosage and any possible side effects.
Don't get cold, dress warm and stay comfortable. Ideally inside the boat, lying down in a cozy berth
Get help if you need to be sick, hanging over the side is dangerous, the best option is inside with a bucket
Don't continue on an empty stomach, eat toast, bread or plain biscuits, also remember to re hydrate with water
Don't think about feeling sick, try to find something to take your mid off it.
If someone becomes seriously ill, make sure they are warm and dry and then contact the Coastguard
Fire!
Do not enter any smoked filled spaces
Get everyone on deck in lifejackets, take all the fire extinguishers with you
Try to extinguish the fire where possible
Reduce air flow by sealing hatches and vents
Move both the crew and liferaft as far as possible from the fire
Notify Coastguard
In an emergency, life saving appliances can save lives, but only if used correctly. The skills of yourself and crew are what makes a rescue successful in an emergency and maybe preventing the emergency in the first place.
Launching a liferaft
A liferaft is the last resort, unless the yacht is on fire or sinking fast
Ensure liferaft is secured to the boat, be aware liferafts will take damage when secured to a boat for any period of time
Board the liferaft as quickly as possible and then cut the raft free
Heavier people should enter the liferaft first to provide better stability
Take emergency equipment such as EPIRB, hand held VHF, flares, first aid kit, water and thermal protective aids in the liferaft. These should be in a grab bag in an easily accessible place on the boat
Helicopter Rescue
Use hand held flares as a signal to a helicopter, DO NOT use parachute flares or mini-flares when a helicopter is near-by
Once contact has been made, the pilot will tell you his intentions, listen and follow they are the experts.
Make sure you understand the instructions as you will not be able to hear the radio when the helicopter is overhead
Winching normally take place at the stern (rear) of the vessel, so make sure it is clear of loose debris. Be careful, the down draft from the helicopter can be very strong
Keep the vessel as steady as possible. You will be given instructions on speed and course if you have power available
Allow the winch wire to earth in the water first before grabbing it, ensure it does not snag and DO NOT SECURE it to the boat
If the Hi-line technique is to be used, have a bucket to hand to collect lose line on deck
