Most Bermudians head for the beautiful waters around the Island come spring and summer. Before you and your family partake in water activities consider a few tips about water safety.

The Bermuda Water Safety Council (BWSC), published an excellent text entitled, "Bermuda Water Safety Council Handbook'', Safety and Pleasure -- Partners in Leisure. This was a sponsored project of the BF&M Insurance Group last year.

As a family project, you could obtain a copy of this informative little blue book and review it with your family members, particularly kids. We experience the water in numerous ways: swimming, snorkelling, sailing, rowing, fishing, diving, and motoring. But accidents happen on the water and families should know what to do.

Swimming is probably the way the largest number of locals and tourists enjoy water. Here are a few swim tips from the (BWSC) handbook: "Rip Currents -- They are found at the beach when the wave rolls in. They look like sandy, mushroom shaped areas. Rip currents pull out, not under. If you feel yourself being pulled out in one DO NOT Panic! Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the sandy area. Then swim back to shore.

"Undertow or runback -- There are a few beaches in Bermuda that have a very bad undertow, such as Warwick Long Bay and Winsor Beach. An undertow is caused by the angle of the beach near the water's edge. The steeper the angle of the beach, the stronger the undertow. This can pull a person down and into the next wave.

"Weather and ocean currents -- The weather must be checked before any swimming considered. You should never swim in a thunderstorm as water conducts electricity. Storm weather, even when offshore, can cause heavy surf and dangerous currents.

"Marine Animals -- a person must be aware of Portuguese man-o'-war jellyfish, which floats on the surface of the water and has long poisonous tentacles which can cause paralysis. Sea urchins, which live in holes in and around reefs, have spikes which if stepped on, break off and have a tendency to get infected. These creatures are best avoided.

"Rocks and reefs -- be careful when walking on rocky areas or swimming around reefs. These areas can be very sharp. If care is not taken they can cause injuries.

"Diving -- Care must be taken whenever on considers diving into the water.

Before diving in, the depth of the water must be checked. Do not dive into shallow water.'' The handbook gives specific advice regarding safety regulations with a glossary of nautical terms.

It covers a section on navigation, boating courtesy, emergency situations, sea rescue, Harbour Radio and VHF services and Emergency Radio Transmissions.

SAILING SLG