Do You Know What to Do to Keep Yourself Safe in the Water This Summer?
- Publish date
- Tuesday, 29 Dec 2015, 9:13PM
New Zealand's drowning toll this year passed 100 yesterday, compared with 90 last year and, per head of population, is twice as bad as Australia's.
We want you to be safe this summer!Â
How to identify a rip
• Calm patches in surf with waves breaking each side
• Rippled or criss-crossed water
• Discoloured water
• Foamy water
• Sand bars with the above features between them
What to do if you get caught
• Don't panic
• Let the rip sweep you along until the current weakens
• When the current has subsided, swim parallel to the shore for 30-40m before returning to shore, swimming slowly
• If you are in trouble, float on your back to preserve energy and wait until the rip has stopped taking you out. Then swimming away from it.
• If you are at a patrolled beach, raise your hand to alert the lifeguards that you need assistance.
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