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Understanding Bathing Flags
The first thing you do when you arrive at a supervised beach is to look at and respect the flags. They warn you of the bathing conditions depending on the state of the sea and the weather.
How to understand bathing flags?
- Green flag: supervised swimming with no apparent danger
- Yellow flag: supervised but dangerous swimming
- Red flag: swimming prohibited
Finding a lost toddler
Despite your vigilance, your child, grandchild, nephew... can disappear in an instant.
Here are some precautions to take with young children who may not be able to find you on their own.
As soon as you arrive at the beach, choose a meeting point with the child, a visible and distinctive landmark that he or she can easily recognize and name.
If he is old enough, teach him to decline his first and last name. This will be useful to the lifeguard or vacationer he meets on his way.
Another way to find a lost child: firefighters and sea rescuers distribute free beach bracelets for young children in the summer. These identification bracelets are also available in MAIF and MACIF agencies.
They carry the phone number of a relative. Indeed, young children are not necessarily able to give their identity and even less to give a phone number.
But obviously, on the sand or in the water, a child must be under the constant supervision of an adult.
Beware of the sun
Burns, allergies, sunstroke... are the risks of exposure to the sun. On the coast of Saint Jean de Monts, also called the Côte de Lumière, the sunshine is strong. Pay particular attention to children and people with fair skin.
To avoid sunburn: do not expose yourself between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., wear long clothing in the middle of the day, protect yourself with a hat and sunglasses, apply high protection sunscreen, SPF 50, every 2 hours and after swimming.
With these few precautions, you will have a great day at the beach in Vendée.
For safe swimming
For more peace and safety on the beach during your stay in Vendée, here are some recommendations.
Always stay close to or within sight of your child. Avoid buoys and use armbands or swimming vests instead.
If possible, swim in the supervised swimming area marked out by red/yellow flags and never when there is a red flag.
If you don't know how to swim very well, stay where you can touch the bottom.
If you can swim, do not overestimate your physical abilities and do not stray far from the shore.
Avoid swimming alone or tell someone how long you plan to swim for.
After exposure to the sun, gradually re-enter the water, spraying your arms, torso and neck to avoid thermal shock.
Ask the Sea Rescue about the possible dangers of the day: onshore winds, jellyfish, etc.
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In case of a jellyfish sting:
Rinse with sea water. Remove the remaining filaments by rubbing with sand. If you can, disinfect with an antiseptic. Do not wash the bite with fresh water. Avoid contact with the wound, do not touch it. And forget the belief that you should urinate on the wound, this could cause superinfection.
In case of a weever sting:
The weever is a fish that lives in the sandy bottoms of our coasts. Walkers or swimmers injure themselves by putting their foot or hand on it.
What to do if you get bitten?
Get out of the water. Soothe the pain by warming the wound, walking on warm sand, or immersing the wound in warm water for at least 15 minutes. If you can, disinfect with an antiseptic. Seek medical attention if you experience nausea, dizziness, ...
Water sports and safety
Check your equipment before setting sail. And find out about weather conditions and currents. Be careful in offshore winds!
Do not practice alone, or give your expected return time to someone left on land.
Respect the markings and signs so as not to injure anyone, swimmer or diver. In the 300 meter strip, do not go too fast.
Remember that wearing a life jacket is mandatory beyond 300 meters from the shore.
The nautical bases of Saint Jean de Monts and Notre Dame de Monts will be able to complete these recommendations.
Thanks to the CRS, firefighters and sea rescuers for their advice, vigilance and care at sea and on the beaches. To find out more and to support them: https://www.snsm.org.