Visakhapatnam: Concerned over the number of deaths due to drowning on Visakhapatnam beaches, the Rashtriya Life Saving Society , India (RLSS-I), affiliated to the Indian Maritime Foundation, plans on initiating a beach safety programme along the coastline of city beaches.A survey for understanding the depth of waves, tides, sandbar and rocky locations was done by RLSS on their study of city beaches and safety levels. RLSS-I, through regular advocacy, consultancy, safety audits and risk assessments, aims to educate the vulnerable and develop new methods to improve safety standards in the country, both on land and in water.A proposal for the ‘Surf and Sea- know your beach before you swim or surf’ initiative has been submitted to the local municipal administration and the police department after completing the survey. Flags of different colours, which depict the level of danger of the coastline are placed at regular intervals with sign boards.Red and yellow flags mean lifeguards are on patrol and people are advised to swim only in the area between the flags. The red flag indicates that the sea is very dangerous and closed for public use. This flag also means that it is highly hazardous and dangerous to bathe or swim. The red over yellow flag depicts swimming with lifeguard supervision only.The yellow flag indicates medium hazard and only experienced swimmers can venture into the sea. The green flag means low hazard and swimmers may swim with precaution. The quartered black and white flag indicates that the area is zoned for surf crafts and surf boards. The yellow flag with a black ball indicates that watercraft and surf boards are prohibited. The orange wind sock depicts offshore winds.Stating that the initiative is successful on the beaches of Goa and Kerala, Balaji Bharatkumar, licensee and certified trainer from the south zone, said, “Most of the drowning cases occur at the distance of 50 metre (from the shore to waves). Our aim is to bring down the rate of drowning cases and spread awareness among people on lifesaving techniques on land and in water. Hence, the one-of-its-kind initiative, “Surf and Sea” will enable people to know and understand the beaches before they venture out for swimming or surfing. Once the proposals are approved, the programme will be executed.”“We also provide training, certified programmes and demonstrate first-aid techniques to lifeguards, community guards and fishermen,” added Balaji.

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