Phuket lifeguards warn of deadly rip-currents

[webfact]

Phuket lifeguards warn of deadly rip-currents
Phuket Gazette


With the increase of rip tides off Phuket's beaches in April, lifeguards have had to rescue 35 swimmers in a single month, most of them foreigners. Photo: Isaac Stone Simonelli

PHUKET: -- Seasonal changes have brought strong rip currents to the shores of Phuket. With them comes a sharp rise in the number of rescues this month, prompting lifeguards to issue stern warnings to would-be swimmers.

“Swimmers who ignore warning flags are risking their lives and those of the lifeguards,” said the president of the Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC), Prathaiyut Chuayuan.

Unlike previous years, which saw lifeguards walk off the sands as the PLC and Phuket provincial government haggled over the next contract, guards will remain on duty during this dangerous time of year. There were no delays as the guards quickly signed the 22-million-baht contract on April 20.

The club, which has 98 lifeguards manning 38 stations at 12 beaches in the province, recorded 35 rescues in April; 15 Thais and 20 foreigners.

However, despite the successful rescues, the lethal currents off Phuket did claim one life in April. Lifeguards doubt it will be the last, if people don’t take heed of their warnings.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-lifeguards-warn-deadly-ripcurrents/63794?desktopversion#ad-image-0

-- Phuket Gazette 2016-05-02

[Speedo1968]

Put up watch towers so that lifeguards can see rips more easily.

If swimmers ignore the warnings ( flags / lifeguards verbal warnings ) then perhaps the lifeguards should ignore the swimmers cries for help.

[stevenl]

Put up watch towers so that lifeguards can see rips more easily.

If swimmers ignore the warnings ( flags / lifeguards verbal warnings ) then perhaps the lifeguards should ignore the swimmers cries for help.

I can already hear the outrage everywhere after the lifeguards let somebody drown because he ignored the warnings.

[chub]

Without wishing to detract from the heroic image projected by our lifeguard contractor, it's obvious to anyone who spends time on Karon Beach that the men who operate the parachutes, jet skis and mats and umbrellas are wearing the 'lifeguards' uniform shorts. They bring the 'No Swimming' flags into disrepute by arranging them to keep people out of the wide swathes of beach that they reserve for their operations. Either the lifeguards are doubling up as beach business operators or more likely, the beach operators are wearing lifeguard uniforms to satisfy the numbers. What is clear is that no lifeguards are manning the lifeguard stations, watching swimmers or patrolling the beach.

[arithai12]

The problem is that the red flags are almost always up, and so most of the time they are ignored (cry wolf).

The lifeguards put them up when there are some waves, then sit on their sunloungers and enjoy the view.

Of course real rip currents are a serious danger, and if they are strong then also good swimmers are in trouble.

But often the problem is just that non-swimmers are where they should not be.

[arithai12]

Sorry to hear that the the girl who was in critical condition last month eventually died, RIP.

But to say “The woman’s death was a direct result of swimming in the red-flag zone and ignoring the lifeguards’ warnings,”

is a mis-representation of the reality, and the contract they just landed explains why they choose this view.

What happened is that the girl, taking selfies with friends, probably fully clothed, was dragged by a wave to a depth

where she could not stand and being unable to swim she drowned. This has nothing to do with dangerous rip currents.

It has to do with common sense.

Edited May 3, 2016 by arithai12

[Speedo1968]

Sorry to hear that the the girl who was in critical condition last month eventually died, RIP.

But to say “The woman’s death was a direct result of swimming in the red-flag zone and ignoring the lifeguards’ warnings,”

is a mis-representation of the reality, and the contract they just landed explains why they choose this view.

What happened is that the girl, taking selfies with friends, probably fully clothed, was dragged by a wave to a depth

where she could not stand and being unable to swim she drowned. This has nothing to do with dangerous rip currents.

It has to do with common sense.

Waves don't drag - rip currents do.

A rip can be on the bottom near your feet, or higher up your body, the water temperature will be colder. A rip can move sideways along a beach. A rip is generally quite narrow but can be wide enough to catch several people at once. A rip DOES travel faster than you can swim - please learn how to try rescue yourself from a rip. Also learn how to save others. Take some time to look at clips available on youtube.

Sometimes when people are caught by a rip their first panic reaction is to try an hold someone next to them - this can lead to someone else being dragged out to sea.

A wave often knocks a person over, either forwards, sideways or backwards ( if they are facing the wave ), this generally happens when water depth is about one metre - if you are in deeper water with bigger waves you are in the wrong place unless you can swim. Waves cannot knock you out towards the sea - think about it .........

Of course it is not advisable to wear clothes in the sea, except perhaps for a short sleeve T-shirt to protect you from the sun.

Know where you are in the sea.

If you continue to disbelieve what a rip is you are putting your own and other peoples lives at risk.

[ChoakMyDee]

I nearly drowned in a rip at Patong a couple years ago. I wasn't swimming. I was standing at the edge of the beach, in water barely up to my knees, just standing there enjoying the waves splashing, when all of a sudden I was dragged off my feet by a very strong current. Before I knew it I was about 200 meters out to sea. I had never experienced a rip so I did the opposite of what I should. I panicked and tried to swim to shore but I couldn't so I nearly drowned because I became so exhausted.

Not every tourist even knows what a rip is. If someone had explained to me how dangerous it was I would have been nowhere near the water! Don't even assume people even know what a red flag means. I used to think they were areas where swimmers weren't allowed to go because the jetskis and boats operate there.

[Speedo1968]

I nearly drowned in a rip at Patong a couple years ago. I wasn't swimming. I was standing at the edge of the beach, in water barely up to my knees, just standing there enjoying the waves splashing, when all of a sudden I was dragged off my feet by a very strong current. Before I knew it I was about 200 meters out to sea. I had never experienced a rip so I did the opposite of what I should. I panicked and tried to swim to shore but I couldn't so I nearly drowned because I became so exhausted.

Not every tourist even knows what a rip is. If someone had explained to me how dangerous it was I would have been nowhere near the water! Don't even assume people even know what a red flag means. I used to think they were areas where swimmers weren't allowed to go because the jetskis and boats operate there.

Thanks for your posting "ChoakMyDee"

I know how you felt, having been caught in rips myself numerous times in Australia and elsewhere. On one occasion, I had pulled someone out of the water who had been caught by a rip; a few hours later I got caught and my swimming out of the rip lead me to a sandbar that had been created by the rip where I was constantly dumped on by the waves. I was / am a strong swimmer, including in the sea but I had never been so frightened - no not frightened, I had never felt in such a useless position when caught in a rip. I was rescued by a beach lifesaver but spent many days in hospital with concussion and skin damage.

Yes, I think it's time that local govt. does something to make beaches as safe as possible for swimmers by not letting commercialisation ( jet skis etc ) and unnecessary red flags in swimming areas.

I still advocate strongly that watch towers are placed on such dangerous beaches, they can give vital extra minutes when a rip is on the move.

Your experience of "suddenly at waters edge" is typical of a moving rip. They move as fast sideways as they do outwards. You were lucky to have survived, especially so far out; I am happy you did. Take a look on youtube, some interesting clips and info about rips.