Beach safety

Lifeguard patrols can't be on every beach. But with you by their side, your family can stay safe.

If you can’t make it to a lifeguarded beach, then read our safety advice below. Some simple steps can help you have a safe and enjoyable trip to the seaside.

Bookmark this page now so you'll always have quick access to the best tips and advice on avoiding beach dangers.

How can I stay safe on the beach?

• Protect and keep an eye on your family
• Stay together and don't use inflatables
• In an emergency dial 999 for the Coastguard (UK) or 112 for the Coast Guard (Ireland)

Follow government safety advice

Please adhere to your government’s safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 and respect social distancing at all times. Please consider whether you should travel to a beach and remember to follow guidelines regarding travelling only with your household. 

Lifeguarded beaches

Please be aware that RNLI lifeguard services are currently limited on beaches in the UK. Although our volunteer lifeboat crews are fully operational if needed, this is your watch too. Follow safety advice to protect yourself and your loved ones – and you’ll help to reduce the demands placed on our lifeboat crews and other emergency services.

When you’re heading to a beach, we urge you to respect the water and visit a lifeguarded beach. On a lifeguarded beach there are trained professionals to help keep you safe – they’ll be on hand if something goes wrong, in or out of the water.

Use our find my nearest beach tool to find a lifeguarded beach near you. You can search by address, post code, or you can use the map to look for the closest beach to you. There will be information on the dates and times the beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards, so you know the safest time to head down to the beach. There is also a weather forecast and tidal information.

You can also search on the Marine Conservation Society (UK) or Irish Water Safety (Ireland) websites to find information on beaches near you.

So now you’re ready to hit the beach there are a few important things to remember, whether lifeguards are on duty or not.

Beach flags and signs

Signs

When you arrive at the beach the first thing you might see is a sign giving you all the information about the beach you’re visiting. This includes important safety info on the hazards specific to the area. The signs generally use two different types of warning symbols. Do you know the difference?

Red and white prohibition sign

Do not enter the water at any time. Swimming and other water-related activities are not permitted.

No lifeguards sign
There is currently no lifeguard service at this beach. You should exercise caution and follow all safety advice to protect you and your family.

Flags

If the beach you’re at is not lifeguarded, please take extra care if you are going into the water. If lifeguards are on patrol, then you’ll need to know your flags:

Red and yellow beach flag

Lifeguarded area. Safest area to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.

Black and white chequered beach flag

For surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and other non-powered craft. Launch and recovery area for kitesurfers and windsurfers. Never swim or bodyboard here.

Red beach flag

Danger! Never go in the water under any circumstances when the red flag is flying.

Orange windsock

Indicates offshore or strong wind conditions. Never use inflatables when the windsock is flying.

Understand the sea

Rip currents

Rips are strong currents running out to sea, which can quickly take you from the shallows out of your depth.

Tides

A beach can seem like a vast playground but the tide can come in surprisingly quickly.

Getting cut off by the tide contributes to a significant number of RNLI rescues every year. 

Waves

Waves are great fun, but they can be dangerous. They have different characteristics depending on the beach and conditions - understanding how they work will keep you safer.

Cold water shock

Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement. Average UK and Ireland sea temperatures are just 12°C.  

Missing children

Children are safest when supervised.

As soon as you get to the beach, agree a meeting point in case of separation. If the beach runs a children’s safety scheme, using wristbands or tickets, take part. They’re free and they work. If you are on an RNLI-lifeguarded beach, visit the lifeguard hut on arrival and they may be able to give you special wristbands to put your contact details on.

If a child does go missing:

• calmly check your surroundings first, ensuring other children remain supervised
• contact the lifeguards or police and keep them informed
• let all searchers know once the child is found.

Going into the water

Before you get in the water it’s important to consider your personal fitness as the sea can be a very demanding environment. Swimming is one of the best year-round activities to help prepare your body so we’d recommend you get in the pool and start practising now!

Just be aware that sea swimming can be more challenging than the pool so before you start a watersport it’s worth jumping in between the red and yellow beach flags and familiarising yourself with the conditions. 

Inflatables

We urge you not to use inflatables, blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out. If you do use them at the beach, then:

• ensure children are closely supervised
• keep near the shore
• only use between the red and yellow beach flags
• follow the lifeguard’s advice
• do not take inflatables out in big waves
• never use them when the orange windsock is flying, as this indicates offshore winds which will blow inflatables further out to sea
• if you do get into difficulty, then stay with your inflatable as it will keep you above the water.

Bodyboarding

Bodyboarding is fun for all the family, but every year our lifeguards rescue thousands of people who get caught out. The most important advice is to wear a leash and always stay with your board as it will keep you above the water, even if you feel you are drifting out to sea. Your board will keep you afloat and make you much easier to spot if our lifeguards need to rescue you. Read more about Bodyboarding.

How to call for help

If you’re in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Float to live

If you are in difficulty in the water, it’s tempting to try and swim to safety but you should always stay with your kit as it will keep you afloat and make you easier to find.

• If you fall into water, fight your instinct to thrash around.
• Lean back, extend your arms and legs.
• If you need to, gently move them around to help you float.
• Float until you can control your breathing.
• Only then, call for help or swim to safety.

A whistle is a simple and effective method of calling for help when close to shore. When venturing further offshore carry a suitable means of calling for help, such as a waterproof and fully charged VHF radio, phone in a waterproof pouch or flares.

Don’t forget the international distress signal of hand waving and shouting for help.

Sun safety

Sunburn can ruin your holiday and increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. According to our friends at the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity Skcin, we experience over half our lifetime’s exposure to the sun before we reach the age of 21.

So please, keep safe this Summer and follow the Ss of sun safety:

• Sunscreen – slop on SPF 30+ broad-spectrum waterproof sunscreen every 2 hours
• Sun hat – slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears
• Sunglasses – wear wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes
• Shoulders – slip on a T-shirt or UV protective suit for children and remember to keep your shoulders covered
• Shade – seek shade, particularly during the hottest time of the day between 11am and 3pm when UV penetration is at its strongest 
• Slurp – drink lots of water so that you stay hydrated during your time in the sun.

Wetsuits

The waters around the UK and Ireland can be very cold, even on a warm summer’s day. A wetsuit will keep you warm and comfortable, allowing your body to perform more efficiently.

Wetsuits are generally made from neoprene and are designed to maintain your body’s core temperature and protect you from the elements. They work by letting a small amount of water in, holding it next to your body, which then heats up from the natural energy produced during exercise. For this reason it’s vital to choose a well-fitted suit to avoid being flushed with cold water. Remember a wetsuit is usually worn with the zip at the back!

Wetsuit thickness is measured in millimetres of neoprene: the thicker the suit the more insulation. As a general rule in the UK and Ireland most people use full suits, which means long arms and long legs:

• 5:3 = winter suit approx November–March (5mm neoprene core, 3mm limbs)
• 4:3 = spring suit approx April–October (4mm neoprene core, 3mm limbs)
• 3:2 = summer suit approx June−September (3mm neoprene core, 2mm limbs)