• After the death of four people this week, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture called for "the greatest vigilance".

  • Eric Petitjean, director of the Rescuers at Sea training and intervention center then recalls the essential gestures to have as users of the sea, by bathing but also by boat or paddle.

This week, four people died by drowning on the Côte d'Azur.

A sad assessment which prompted the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes called for "the greatest vigilance", especially in this period of high heat.

"A peak of heat multiplies by three the risk of drowning", recalls the prefect.

Aware that accidents, especially during the summer season, are "largely due to a lack of knowledge of the right actions to adopt at sea and on the coast", the Sea Rescuers (SNSM) are increasing awareness-raising actions with users of the sea, in particular by recalling essential gestures.

In Cannes, Eric Petitjean, director of the SNSM training and intervention center and also boss at the rescue station, warns: “You have to watch the children carefully and not leave them alone.

For older people, the instruction is to take into consideration their physical abilities and not to overestimate themselves.

Especially since these heat episodes increase our body temperature while that of the sea remains around 23°C.

The differences are greater.

Even if you want to cool off quickly, you have to be even more vigilant and think about the right reflexes that can save you from hydrocution and potential cardiovascular arrest”.

Swimming in a supervised area

Thus, he recommends not to bathe after the meal, to avoid exposure to the sun from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., not to forget to wet your forehead, neck and chest before entering the water and do in a supervised bathing area.

“If you witness that a person is in difficulty and you are on the coast, call 112 or alert the first aid station.

If you feel unwell and are swimming, assume a buoyant position, such as on your back, and signal yourself by waving your arms and shouting.

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Please note, however, that new signage will be arriving on French beaches from the summer of 2022. For example, the supervised bathing area is now delimited by two-tone yellow and red flags and no longer by blue triangles.

Jellyfish stings, what to do?

For users at sea, the head of the Cannes rescue station recommends, for paddleboarding for example, to check your equipment and the weather before leaving, tell someone and not stray too far from the coast.

“For motorboats or sailboats, it is also essential to ensure that you have your equipment before setting sail, whether it is petrol, batteries or even maps, develops Eric Petitjean.

If ever something happens and you need help, the numbers to know are channel 16 or the freephone number 196.”

Another incident that can occur during swimming: jellyfish stings.

The director of the SNSM training and intervention center then indicated: “We must put hot sand on the wound and rinse with sea water, especially not fresh water.

If they are pebbles, white vinegar can delay the effect of burns before being taken care of by the aid station, for example.

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