There’s nothing like a hot day spent relaxing at an Australian beach or heading down to the local pool to soak up the sun with friends.
But, before you get swimming, it’s crucial to understand how to stay safe in and around the water – the advice may be different to what you experienced in your home country.
New to swimming? We’ve got you. Read on for our top tips on how to stay safe on Australian beaches and in pools.
Step 1: Learn how to swim
Swimming is an essential skill in Australia, where water activities are a way of life! Australian waters can present challenges even for experienced swimmers, and whether you’re at a pool, beach, or river, knowing how to swim can save your life.
If you’re new to swimming, consider taking lessons from a professional swim school like Royal Life Saving Australia and State Swim. These organisations offer structured programs that teach everything from basic strokes to survival techniques in the water.
Understanding the differences between swimming in a pool and in the ocean is critical. Ocean swimming often involves dealing with waves, currents and tides, which can be challenging if you’re used to calmer waters. If you’re not confident in your swimming abilities, stay in shallow water or swim in designated areas where lifeguards are present. Which brings us to…
Step 2: Swim between the flags
The golden rule of swimming at Aussie beaches is to always swim between the red and yellow flags. These flags show the safest areas to swim, chosen by lifeguards after checking the water for things like strong currents or dangerous sea creatures. Beaches patrolled by lifeguards are monitored closely, meaning help is more readily available if you get into trouble.
Don’t hesitate to approach a lifeguard with any questions or concerns, whether it’s about water conditions or what to do in an emergency. They’re there to help, and it’s always better to be informed than to take unnecessary risks.
Step 3: Understand Australian beach conditions
Australian beaches are lots of fun, but they come with their own set of hazards. One of the most common dangers is rip currents, or ‘rips.’ These are powerful channels of fast-moving water that can quickly drag even the strongest swimmers away from the shore.
It can be hard to spot a rip, and they can quickly change location or shape. Look for areas where the water appears darker, where there are less waves breaking, or where there’s foam or seaweed being rapidly pulled out to sea.
If you get caught in a rip, follow these steps:
- Don’t panic: Remain calm and conserve your energy.
- Swim parallel to the shore: Try to swim sideways, out of the rip current. Once you’re out, swim back to the beach at an angle away from the current. Do not swim against the rip.
- Float and signal: If you can’t swim out of the rip, float on your back and wave one arm to signal for help.
Step 4: Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide
Protecting yourself from the sun is a vital part of your day at the beach or pool. The Australian sun can be extremely harsh, even on cloudy days, and sunburn can occur in as little as 15 minutes. To protect yourself, just remember to “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide”, as per the Australian Cancer Council guidelines:
- Slip on a shirt to protect your skin.
- Slop on sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, applying it generously 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying every two hours or after swimming.
- Slap on a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face, neck, and ears from the sun
- Seek shade whenever possible, especially during the peak UV hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Step 5: Dive safely
Before diving into a pool, always check the water’s depth. Diving into shallow water can result in serious injuries, such as head or spinal injuries. Most pools have markings that indicate the water’s depth, so familiarise yourself with these before diving. In general, avoid diving in areas that are less than 1.8 metres deep.
By following these water safety tips, you can enjoy Australia’s beautiful beaches and pools with confidence. Always stay informed, swim between the flags and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
What happens if you have an accident or need medical care?
Some of the busier beaches in Australia have lifeguards on duty who can help, but not all of them – if you’re at the beach or pool and hurt yourself it’s important to know what to do.
Is it an emergency?
An emergency is an illness or injury that has an immediate risk to your life or long-term well-being and requires urgent attention. Call 000 in a medical emergency or if you’ve been in an accident. An ambulance will be sent if you need it.
In a non-emergency
Illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening are known as non-emergencies and can be treated by a doctor or general practitioner (GP).
Health cover
International students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Contact your OSHC provider for guidance and confirm how you’re covered in the event of an accident.
For example, if you were to have an accident in the water, Bupa’s OSHC would cover uncapped emergency ambulance transportation services or on-the-spot treatment anywhere in Australia by recognised providers1. Bupa OSHC members also have access to 24/7 online video calls with Blua2, or can access a Bupa-friendly doctor in person.3 The doctor will treat you or, if needed, refer you for assessments like X-rays or blood tests or to a specialist.
Legal assistance
If you need legal advice or support, there are services available to help in each state and territory.
1If claimable from another source, a benefit won’t be paid by Bupa. Benefits for ambulance transportation is only payable where the provider describes the transportation as an ‘Emergency’. For more, see the Important Information Guide.
2Fund and policy rules apply. 100% of the cost will only be covered for Blua consults. Members will only be able to book general consultations via Blua. Consultations with specialists cannot be booked via Blua. Members who are under 18 years old may need to attend the consultation with a parent or guardian. Service provided by a third-party partner. Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.
3Bupa-friendly doctor is a GP that submits your claim directly to us which helps reduce or eliminate any payment on the day of your appointment. If a doctor charges more than the benefit you receive from Bupa, there may be some out-of-pocket expenses which won’t be covered by your insurance.
