With temperatures rising this week, the ultimate way to make the most of the last few summer days before school begins is to laze around (or work remotely) and splash about with the kids.
It’s pretty easy to accomplish thanks to the plethora of beaches, pools, and freshwater bodies to choose from in and around the Mother City.
Also read: Cool off this summer in Cape Town’s inner city with these pools
Our beaches and public pools have lifeguards on duty who monitor, patrol and help in emergencies. To ensure we all enjoy summer safely, it is 100% our responsibility to follow the water safety rules and guidelines:
Safety rules for Cape Town public pools:
If you can’t swim, it is seriously recommended that you don’t go near the water. Please also make sure you let the lifeguards know if you or anyone else with you cannot swim or are not confident in the water.
General rules:
- No alcohol or banned substances at the pool
- No glass containers
- No weapons of any kind
- No running and messing around in and around the pool
- No dunking or diving off shoulders
- No ball games in or outside of the pool area
- No pets allowed
- No tents or similar structures
- No pushing into the pool
- Children under the age of seven need to be accompanied by an adult at all times
Activity don’ts:
- Don’t run, push, duck, bomb or play rough
- Don’t swim near or under the diving boards and make sure one person at a time uses the board
- Bigger children should not swim in the baby pools
What to do if you get into trouble in the water:
- Raise your hand and wave
- Try staying calm as panicking can make you tired and run out of breath
- Try and get to the edge of the pool and hold on.
- Don’t grab anyone else as you may pull them down with you
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Water safety at the beach:
Our beaches are wonderful to explore, but our tides and waters are strong. Cape Town is known for quick-changing weather conditions and vast marine life, some of which (like sharks) can be dangerous.
At most beaches, there is a lifeguard and shark spotter, and even police patrols. However, as a visitor, we highly recommend that you stay safe by being as aware and responsible as possible.
Do’s
- Make sure you know how to swim before swimming in the sea
- Swim between the red and yellow flags, as these areas are patrolled by lifeguards
- Identify an easy-to-find place where you can meet if anyone gets lost or separated
- Stay hydrated. Watch out for signs of dehydration such as red, dry skin, rapid/weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing.
Don’ts:
- Don’t drink alcohol before you swim as it impairs your judgement
- Don’t dive into unfamiliar water as there may be rocks or other dangers
Rip currents:
A rip current is a strong, narrow surface current of water that flows rapidly away from the shore. These currents form when excess water that has collected along the shore – due to wind and waves – suddenly rushes back into the ocean.
Because they are so strong, rip currents can easily drag you into deeper waters and put you at risk.
If you get caught in a rip current
- Don’t panic
- Don’t try to swim straight back to the shore against against the current as this will exhaust you
- Try to tread water or turn on your back and float (riptides get weaker as they go further out)
- Raise one arm in the air and wave for help to alert people on the beach that you are in trouble
- Swim parallel to the beach, out of the current, and then use waves to help you get back to the beach
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Also read:
Seven drownings recorded at Cape Town beaches since December
Picture: Claudia Love / Unsplash
