Water

The Water Safety Code

Following the Water Safety Code's 4 important rules will help you to stay safe and enjoy the many swimming and water recreation areas around New Zealand.

The Water Safety Code

4 simple rules to help you stay safe in the water.

Download the Code

Click flag below to download pdf (print quality) or review on-screen, below:

1Be prepared

Learn to swim and survive and set rules for safe play in the water. Always use safe and correct equipment. Know the weather and water conditions before you get in.

Always check your surroundings and the conditions before entering the water. Check for potential dangers, and make sure you are confident in your ability to swim in the area around you, especially if the conditions or weather was to change. Floatation devices and lifejackets should be used for activities on the water, especially on childeren and for anyone who is not strong or confident in the water.

Find out more about taking swimming lessons from Water Safety New Zealand.

2Watch out for yourself and others

Always pay close attention to children you are supervising in or near water. Swim with others and in areas where lifeguards are present.

Be aware of those around you in the water. If anyone is showing signs of distress, if they seem to be under for too long or if you lose sight of friends or family while recreating in or around water, it is important to check on them to make sure they are ok. Likewise, remain aware of your own swimming capability and the area or conditions that you're swimming in. Have fun, but always remain alert and don't push yourself beyond your own level of comfort.

3Be aware of the dangers

Enter shallow and unknown water feet first and obey all safety signs and warning flags. Do not enter the water after drinking alcohol.

Recreating in and around lakes, rivers the ocean and even in swiming pools can have it's dangers. Additional to your swimming capability and your physical state, you must be mindful of the dangers at each area of water you are recreating in or on, as these can change unexpectedly.

Select the + on the right for more information about dangers in and around the water.

You should always be mindful of dangers, including:

Ocean dangers

The safest way to enjoy the ocean is to recreate at a patrolled beach. Not only will there be lifeguards at-the-ready, but the beach areas that are safest to enjoy are marked with yellow and red flags that you can swim between. Find a patrolled beach.

Some dangers at the beach, include:

1. Rips and currents

Rips are narrow currents of water that can carry you out to sea. You can get caught in a rip that will take you out to sea quickly, while swimming or operating a float or paddle craft. Learn more about rips, and how to react if you are caught in one.

2. Tides

Changing tides can be dangerous or isolating. Always seek local knowledge before going to an area that may be flooded or cut off by changing tides. Learn more about tides and find out local tide times for the area on MetService.com or for your favourite beach at Safeswim.org.nz

3 Waves

Waves can pull you under the water, further out to sea, or knock you into dangers such as rocks. Make sure you know about the different types of waves, and always seek local knowledge before enjoying a new beach, especially where it looks like there may be hidden dangers, unpredictably dangerous waves, rips or tides.

4 Holes

A hole is exactly as its name suggests - a deeper area of the shore bed, which can take unsuspecting swimmers by surprise. Besides rip currents, the inshore hole is one of the major problems for swimmers, in particular small children. Find out more about holes.

For more advice on how to be safe at the beach, see the beach safety page at Surf Life Saving NZ.

River dangers

1. Jumping in

The depth (or shallowness) of water in rivers changes unexpectedly and drastically. Always be mindful to check the depth of the water before you consider jumping in, and never jump from high structures such as bridges.
Rivers often hide debris and rocks just under the surface, which can be challenging to spot with the movement of the water. Always check before you jump in and make sure you navigate carefully around hidden objects.

2. Being swept off your feet or away by the current

River flows can be unexpectedly powerful. There are many types of waves in rivers that can be challenging to swim or nagivate through in a float or craft.
Rivers can flow into waterfalls and the ocean. When swimming or paddling on a craft in a river, always check downstream before you pick your spot, to make sure there are no dangers ahead, and check the current is not too strong for your recreational activity.
Sometimes it may be too dangerous to cross a river where you would like to. Wait for the tide to drop or find a safer place to cross. It is safest to cross rivers in groups for stability.

Find out more about River Safety

Alcohol-related dangers

Drinking alcohol can make seemingly simple tasks much more difficult, because it deteriorates coordination and balance, decision making and the body’s ability to react.

Alcohol in your bloodstream results in a decreased concentration of blood going to your brain and your muscles, which reduces your ability to hold your breath underwater, affects your muscle coordination and can impact your reaction time in the water, too.

Alcohol effects everyone differently, but no matter who you are, alcohol is directly absorbed into the blood stream which impacts your blood alcohol levels. Even if you think you ‘feel fine’, increased blood alcohol weakens your airway protection reflexes, which means you’re more likely to inhale water quickly if you go under.

It takes your body time to process alcohol, and even more time to properly ‘sober up’. Circumstances can change much more rapidly in and on the water – it’s just not worth pushing your luck. If you are going to have a drink, do it afterwards.

Find out more about water dangers at: Water Safety New Zealand.

4Know your limits

Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience. Learn safe ways of rescuing others without putting yourself in danger.

Even strong swimmers can be caught out by the dangers in water environments such as rips, waves and unexpected changes in the depth or shallowness of water. Enjoy water recreation within your limits, and don't feel pressured to swim or recreate in or around water if you are uncomfortable, or are concerned about potential dangers. Have fun, but always behave responsibly by respecting the water, your limits and the limits of others.

Select the + on the right for more information.