“INAPPROPRIATE decision-making by human beings is the number one factor which places swimmers in danger in unsuitable conditions.”
That was the verdict of Glafcos Cariolou yesterday, who is a member of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s Central Coastal Committee.
He was speaking out following the drowning of a 32-year-old man on Sunday off the coast of Paphos.
Pantelis Nikandrou Stylianou was swimming in the sea in front of the Venus Beach Hotel.
Hotel management yesterday told the Mail that “there is a large sign posted on the beach in five languages warning that swimming is not permitted when there are high waves and strong winds. A red flag is raised to indicate these conditions, with the flag raised at the time of the incident.”
The spokesman added that when the sea is calm, “the beach is a paradise and I swim there with my children, with no problems.”
He added that the local municipality has been asked to provide a lifeguard for the sea area and also to look into the possibility of installing a wave-breaker.
“In both instances, we have not had a response,” he stated.
According to Cariolou, “swimmers should always check lifeguard flags or seek the advice of a knowledgeable local before entering the water.”
He also said that beaches are classified as dangerous depending on wind speed, duration and direction.
“There are a number of parameters restricting letting the public know whether swimming conditions are dangerous or not.”
On most beaches red buoys indicate the swimmers’ area, where speedboats and any other floating craft are not allowed to enter. These sea areas are by law strictly reserved for swimmers and bathers only from May to November every year and from 7:30am until 8.30pm daily.
“On a lifeguard flag, two horizontal stripes, red over yellow, means that there are excellent swimming conditions and the lifeguard post is on duty.”
He added that there must be two red and yellow flags: the first approximately 100 metres left of the lifeguard post and the second a similar distance on the right of the post.”
These are the ‘efficient’ boundaries of the lifeguards and none-proficient swimmers must keep within these boundaries.
A yellow flag means swim with caution (usually put up at 11-13 knots of wind), while a red one indicates that it is very dangerous to swim.
“Prevailing winds in the summer time are Westerlies,” explained Cariolou. “The Paphos West coastline is mainly rocky and exposed to these winds. When the wind direction is from the West and its speed is greater than ten knots, comparatively big waves are created and therefore swimming in Paphos west region must be avoided.”
The CTO Travel Guide asks people to take heed of warning signs and notices and to bathe only in protected areas with an operating lifeguard unit marked by the proper flags.
People are advised to avoid bathing in secluded remote coves, near rocks and generally in areas without lifeguards or without local knowledge.
“Find out about bathing conditions, where and when it is safe to swim, from your hotel reception/ information desk or the lifeguard on duty, the Marine Police or from knowledgeable local people,” the guide states.
In The Sea
l Always swim with able company.
l Do not eat heavily before swimming and do not swim immediately after a meal.
l Never drink before swimming.
l Do not bathe alone and avoid swimming in the dark.
l Swim parallel and near to the beach shoreline.
l Avoid being knocked or submerged by heavy surf breakers.
l Avoid swimming at the entrance and inside boat corridors marked with smaller red-orange colour buoys vertically to the coastline.
l Keep well clear of boats when swimming.
l Avoid seabed discrepancies, holes or soft mud.
l Be extra careful when swimming near the ends or parallel to the beach breakwaters. There are noticeable sea currents and sudden seabed deepening on both ends of a breakwater.
l Keep clear of any wrecks, inlet-outlet pipes, Marina or Port entrances.
l Ensure that the flotation devices used by small children are well secured by a line which is under your control.
If you get into difficulties
l Make a note and always remember where is the nearest telephone at the beach is or the nearest source of assistance in case of an emergency.
l Avoid struggling against sea currents and waves. Keep cool and do not panic. If you are carried away by a strong surface current swim diagonally across the current or float and swim with it, approaching the nearest beach at a suitable angle. Increase your buoyancy by keeping your lungs filled up with air. Inhale deeply and exhale shortly. Keep your lungs over-distended and avoid shouting as this will empty air from your lungs, decrease your buoyancy and subsequently sink you below the surface. Lay back and calmly backstroke, parallel to the beach on a gradual land approach.
Beware of the unexpected
Do not swim beyond waist depth when there is a strong current, swell or running seas. The sudden surging mass of water swiping to shore and returning seawards can quickly take swimmers out in the open sea, preventing their return (rip current). This is a major danger on surf coasts on the West of the island directly exposed to the summer time prevailing Westerly winds.
