You only need to remember one thing to have a fantastic day on the beach: Nature is stronger than you are. Forget your towel, your bucket, even your trunks! but never forget that on the beach, nature is the boss.
Richard Crowther, First Aid Cornwall
Respect the Water
RNLI Slogan
On a scorching day, our Cornish beaches are as breathtaking as any on earth. Crystal clear waters, golden sand, rock pools to explore and waves to ride. Honestly, we wouldn’t swap it for anywhere else on earth.
Now we don’t want to be a drag on your joy but you must remember this: nature is stronger than you are.
As parents, this is something we feel really passionately about. Every summer, Cornwall’s beaches are in our headlines for all the wrong reasons. And the reason is always the same: someone took on nature and lost. Just the other day we say two fully clothed kids swept under a wave from under their parents’ feet. They even started to run back in to retrieve a sun hat.
This year, you may be on your own
Coronavirus has left the already over-stretched RNLI with fewer resources than ever. That means there will be lifeguards on less than half of the beaches usually watched over by the RNLI.
More reason than ever to take responsibility for our own safety.
Your best point of call for information and advice is always the RNLI. They have loads of great information and resources online and we recommend everyone take a look at the beach safety page here.
Your day-on-the-beach checklist
So, you wake up, the sun’s out and someone says, “Let’s go to the beach!” We know how it is, especially if there are children in the mix. You run around searching for that swimming costume you thought was in a drawer but is actually hanging at the back of an airing cupboard; then someone wants to bring the snorkel/bodyboard/windbreaker that may or may not be in the garage; someone else has lost their sunglasses, and you haven’t even started to address the fact that there’s nothing in the fridge that looks like it could become a decent picnic. There is way too much to think of. “Let’s just go!”
But hang on a second, you know what’s going to really wreck your day? Not the lack of goggles or houmous, not really. No, we’ve had enough beach days to know that what really messes up a beach day is when you get a nasty cut from a submerged rock and don’t have any dressings, or when you forget the suncream, fall asleep on your towel and wake-up with sun-stroke. And those are the minor menaces. We won’t go on about paralysation and death from tombstoning or cold-water shock and drowning but they are there and never happen to someone who expected it – not unless you include the lifeguards, family members, friends and onlookers who attempt to pick up the pieces and end up the victims of someone else’s poor judgement.
Beach Day Essentials Checklist
With so much to remember, it’s easy to forget the stuff that really matters. We put this list together to help make sure you always take the right knowledge kit to the beach with you. That way, next time someone says those most exciting of words, “Let’s go to the beach!” you’ll be ready!
Print this list NOW and stick it by the front door, in your beach bag on or your surfboard! You can copy from here or download our pdf.
Things to do & take
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Think Tides Check on your phone if you don’t have a tide book. High water? be aware of currents when the tide is going out. If the beach is lifeguarded they always have a board with beach-specific information on.
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Suncream and Sunhats We’re all guilty of this one. The sea reflects the sun’s rays, plus there tends to be a deceptive breeze or haze on the coast. Before you know it, you’re a lobster. Which would be funny if it weren’t for skin cancer etc. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number tells you how long the sun’s UVB rays would take to redden your skin if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen. So, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen. Always re-apply after you’ve been in the water.
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Shade Children and the elderly have skin thinner skin and are more susceptible to radiation burns. Pop up tents are a cheap option. Just make sure it’s UV protected on the label.
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Phone Coastguard 999/112. 112 is better from a mobile as they can trace your location.
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Out of your depth? Know your own limits. If in doubt, don’t paddle out. If you find yourself in trouble in the water, stay calm. Remember, float to survive.
Things NOT to do & take
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Inflatables Rafts/lilos etc, even when the sea looks calm. A cross/offshore wind can blow you way out in a matter of minutes.
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Me time Never enter the water alone.
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Distractions Always have a close eye on children paddling/bathing (it literally takes a second for them to get knocked over) best practice is to get in the sea and join them!
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Alcohol Never drink and swim, you’re judgement will be shot. If you are drinking, remember to regularly hydrate with water. Sitting in the sun and drinking can cause severe dehydration.
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Nightswimming Do not enter the sea at night – it might sound romantic but the consequences really aren’t.
GET TRAINED IN FIRST AID
If you’d like to learn more First Aid to keep yourself and your family safe, get in touch. We run courses all over Cornwall and can tailor them to your needs.
Stay safe and look after each other.
Team FAC x
