LIFEGUARDS will be back on Teignmouth and Dawlish beaches from May 29, reports Wendy Richards Wood, Volunteer Press Officer Teignmouth RNLI Fundraising Team.

She gives the following advice:

You should only enter the water from a lifeguarded beach – but do you know what their flags mean?

Red and yellow striped flags – a lifeguarded zone, between which it is safe to swim or bodyboard (no watercraft).

Black and white chequered flag – between which it is safe to launch paddleboards and other water craft (no swimmers).

Red flag – Dangerous conditions, do not enter the water.

Orange cone – Danger. No inflatables to be used n the water.

Please heed these flags and obey other Lifeguards’ signage to keep yourself and our Lifeguards and Lifeboat crews safe.

Remember – the water temperature is currently very low (the average sea temperature in the UK and Ireland is only 12 degrees, rivers even lower even in the summer months). Anything below 15 degrees is regarded as cold water and can induce ‘cold water shock’ which can lead to drowning. Cold water shock can bring on a heart attack even in the young and healthy. Please don’t take any unnecessary risks.

If you enter the water unexpectedly, take a minute, don’t try to swim straightaway as the effects of cold water shock can pass in less than a minute; relax and float on your back, try to hold onto something to keep you afloat and catch your breath; keep calm and call for help or swim to safety, if you are able to. Remember FLOAT TO LIVE.

Please stay safe and continue to abide by all the Covid guidance and RNLI safety advice.