BE SAFE AT THE BEACH 

Lifesaver’s Safety Tips

Surf Life Saving SA is all about beach safety. We actively patrol beaches to keep you safe, but you can do some simple things to keep yourself and your friends safe at the beach. 

The Surf Life Saving Beachsafe App gives you the latest information about every Australian beach on the go. Offering unrivalled coverage of the Australian coastline, the Beachsafe app provides detailed information from patrol status, facilities and hazards to weather, swell and tide. Download for Apple or Android.

Our Lifesavers are experts on Beach Safety, so we asked them to share their top tips for staying safe at the beach. Here’s what they said:

  • Never swim alone. 

  • Read and obey the beach safety signs.

  • Don't swim directly after a meal.

  • Don't swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Always check the depth of the water.

  • Never run or dive into the water. Even if you have checked the depth, water conditions can change.

  • Learn how to spot a rip and keep clear of it. 

  • If you get into trouble in the water, stay calm. Signal for help by holding up one arm and waving, float and wait for assistance.

  • Be sun smart: slip, slop,  slap, seek, slide. Slip on a shirt, slop on 30+ sunscreen, slap on a brimmed hat, seek shade, slide on sunglasses. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming.

  • Keep the beach clean, put your rubbish in a bin. Leave nothing but footprints. 

  • Keep out of dunes and fenced areas. They are there to preserve the beach environment.

  • Always swim at beaches with patrolling lifesavers or lifeguards. The Beachsafe App can find your closest patrolled beach.

Download the Beachsafe App for iOS and Android. 

Water Safety Fact Sheets

To help keep you safe, we’ve put together some Fact Sheets for the most common safety risks you might find at the beach. You can download them and share them with your friends and family. 

Don’t forget to download the BeachSafe App for current, local conditions and more safety tips from our Lifesavers.

Beach Safety Video Series

We’ve created a helpful and easy-to-view beach safety video series, based around eight core lessons to help you stay safe and enjoy the beach. The videos are available in nine languages.