Local lifesavers say understanding the ocean is very important, the more you know about how waves, wind and tides affect conditions in the water, the better able you are to keep yourself safe, or even rescue others, from danger.

Remember the F-L-A-G-S and stay safe this summer.

* F - Find the flags and swim between them, the red and yellow flags mark the safest place to swim at the beach.

* L - Look at the safety signs - they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach.

* A - Ask a surf lifesaver for some good advice, surf conditions can change quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.

* G - Get a friend to swim with you, so you can look out for each other's safety and get help if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult.

* S - Stick your hand up for help, if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, and raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip, don't try and swim against it.

And remember:

* Never swim at unpatrolled beaches.

* Never ever swim at night.

* Never swim under the influence of alcohol.

* Never run and dive into the water.

* Never swim directly after a meal.

Rips

A rip is a strong current running out to sea. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches. A rip usually occurs when a channel forms between the shore and a sandbar, and large waves have built up water which then returns to sea, causing a drag effect.

The larger the surf, the stronger the rip. Rips are dangerous as they can carry a weak or tired swimmer out into deep water.

Identifying a rip

The following features will alert you to the presence of a rip:

* Darker colour, indicating deeper water.

* Murky brown water caused by sand stirred up off the bottom.

* Smoother surface with much smaller waves, alongside white water (broken waves).