Water safety at pools and beaches | Water safety at pools and beaches | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Water%20and%20swimming%20safety%20at%20public%20pools%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClassC38E6C8BBDB74EAF80CB2EFF64C8ADAE"><p>Our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-city-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches">beaches</a> and <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Swimming%20pools">public swimming pools </a>have lifeguards on duty who monitor and patrol, and help in emergencies. However, it is 100% your responsibility to make sure you follow the rules and stay safe. Please see our safety guidelines below.</p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Safety rules for our public pools</h2></span>
<p>Take note of these rules for safe swimming in our
public swimming pools.</p>
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<i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p> Always take note of our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Swimming_Pool_Rules.pdf" target="_blank">public pool rules </a>– usually displayed at the pool entrance. The City of Cape Town is not liable for loss or damage of any clothing or personal property.</p></div></div><p>If you can’t swim, we seriously recommend 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.</p><h4> Here are our general rules: </h4><ul><li>No alcohol or banned substances at the pool</li><li>No glass containers</li><li>No weapons of any kind</li><li>No running and messing around in and around the pool</li><li>No dunking or diving off shoulders</li><li>No ball games in or outside of the pool area</li><li>No pets allowed</li><li>No tents or similar structures</li><li>No pushing into the pool</li><li>Children under the age of seven need to be accompanied by an adult at all times</li></ul><h4> Activity dont's</h4><ul><li>Don’t run, push, duck, bomb or play rough.</li><li>Don’t swim near or under the diving boards and make sure one person at a time uses the board.</li><li>Bigger children should not swim in the baby pools.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>It’s best to have young children in your care within arm’s reach. Remember, it only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen or a child to disappear in a crowd – so keep them close.</p></div></div><h4>What to do if you get into trouble in the water: </h4><ul><li>Raise your hand and wave.</li><li>Try stay calm as panicking can make you tired and run out of breath.</li><li>Try and get to the edge of the pool and hold on.</li><li>Don’t grab anyone else as you may pull them down with you.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Water safety at the beach</h2><p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities/Beaches">Our beaches</a> are wonderful to explore, but our tides and waters are strong; your safety is very important. Cape Town is known for quick changing weather conditions and vast marine life, some of which (like sharks) can be dangerous.</p><p>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.</p><h4>Golden rules of summer</h4><ul><li>Always swim on a beach with <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/CTBeaches_Lifeguard_Duty_Schedule.pdf" target="_blank">lifeguards on duty</a>, and make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags </li><li>Do not leave children unsupervised in or around water </li><li>Do not swim under the influence of alcohol </li><li>Beware of rip currents. If you're caught in a current, try to stay calm and signal for help</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>sharks</h4><p>Our seas, especially around the False Bay beaches, are shark hotspots. Find out more about
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/Visitor-safety/General-safety-awareness/Focus-on-sharks">shark safety and our shark spotters programme</a>.</p></div></div>
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<table style="width:550px;"><thead><tr><th>DO'S</th><th style="width:275px;">DONT'S</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><ul><li>Make sure you know how to swim before swimming in the sea.</li><li>Swim between the red and yellow flags, as these areas are patrolled by lifeguards.</li><li>Identify an easy-to-find place where you can meet if anyone gets lost or separated.</li><li>Stay hydrated. Watch out for signs of dehydration such as red, dry skin, rapid/weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing.</li></ul></td><td style="width:275px;"><ul><li>Don’t drink alcohol before you swim as it impairs your judgment.</li><li>Don’t dive into unfamiliar water as there may be rocks or other dangers.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span>
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<i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>identikidz programme</h4><p> We help to protect children during the summer holidays with the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/social-development-and-early-childhood-development/identikidz-programme">Identikidz Programme</a>. If you plan on visiting a beach this summer, make sure you know which beaches will be participating and don't forget to register your child.</p></div></div></span>
<h4> What is a rip current?</h4><p> 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.</p><h4> If you get caught in a rip current: </h4><ul><li>don’t panic;</li><li>don’t try to swim straight back to the shore against the current as this will exhaust you;</li><li>try to tread water or turn on your back and float (rip tides get weaker as they go further out);</li><li>raise one arm in the air and wave for help to alert people on the beach that you are in trouble; and</li><li>swim parallel to the beach, out of the current, and then use waves to help you get back to the beach.</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>Never get into the water to help someone if you know the water is too deep for you to stand. A panicking person could drag you down and drown you. Alert a lifeguard if you see someone in trouble. </p></div></div><p>For more tips on how to stay safe on our beaches, please see our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Beaches_pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Beach Safety Pamphlet</a>, or see our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/education-and-research-materials/graphics-and-educational-material/safety-and-security-education-resources"> Safety and security resources</a>.</p> | | GP0|#922b7256-b69b-4704-ab15-78b3a13632c2;L0|#0922b7256-b69b-4704-ab15-78b3a13632c2|Water safety at pools and beaches;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#0a4bd5be-45ba-4f29-9467-09eaac3d8884;GPP|#bdeab521-3d99-4e61-8a9d-b298f4037b2a;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Be aware of safety precautions when swimming in public pools or at the beach. | 0 |