a safe summer for a fun filled holiday by the sea

Transcription

1 Have a good holiday a safe summer for a fun filled holiday by the sea Created by ASL 5 "Spezzino" Texts and draft by Flavio Cavallini in collaboration with:conference of Mayors - Harbour Office of La Spezia - Provincial Service - Tourist Promotional Office "Poets' Gulf 5 Terre - La Spezia contribution from Cassa di Risparmio of La Spezia

2 SUGGESTIONS AND RULES TO OBSERVE Water is the fundamental element of life and man has always had a very close relationship with it, just think about the origins of early life forms are to be found precisely in water. Furthermore, water has always been for man a source of resources, work, research and also amusement and sport; however, it's essential that our approach to water is backed up by know-how because the dangers are many but too many are the accidents which occur at every bathing season. Remember: a cramp, a loss of consciousness, a sudden fright, even a slight trauma can be dangerous if nobody is there to help you. To get the most out of the sea, have some respect for it and learn to swim. never alone in the water when in free waters always stay as a group

3 when in guarded waters demand the presence of lifeguards the shower is safer at home and in the hotel 4 before going in the water always wait at least 3 hours after a meal and 2 hours after a snack. It's best not to go in the water after a long fast.

4 watch out for the cold and v x thermal drop: the difference in temperature between the human body (37 ) and sea water (16 20 ) causes a thermal reaction which is greater the lower the water temperature is and the more abrupt the entrance in the water is when you're hot always enter trie water gradually don't go in the wal you're not in perfect psychological and physical conditions don't overextend your activity ^Jn the water and leave at the first sign of a cold sensation if you are swimming when the sea is rough be very careful and don't go near the rocks,

5 don't go in the water when the red flag is up and don't go in the lanes reserved for swimmers (indicated by distinct coloured float) the sea is reserved for swimming? up to a given number of metres from the shoreline according to a Harbour Office's ordinance issued according coastal characteristics; his ordinance is hanging in every bathing resort and it can also be consulted In the Harbour Office all sail and motor boats, including surf and water scooters, have access to the beach only through specially marked lanes, or with the engine off and rowing

6 FOR SCUBA DIVERS: SUGGESTIONS AND RULES TO OBSERVE It's, forbidden to go underwater fishing and to hold a loaded weapon within 500 m from beaches attended by bathers. Dive unassisted or with cylinders only if you have had regular medical check-ups and if you have followed a special course. The equipment must always be checked, just as the cylinder pressure. Don't hyperventilate but dive after one or two deep inhalations Always signal your position with the special scuba diver marking ball Ask a support boat to accompany you making sure that on the boat there's someone who knows some basic physiopathology on divers and first-aid measures. All boats must have safety and rescue equipment just as expected for the given type of boat. Diving: unassisted * always have a lifeline from the waist to the diver signalling buoy * start coming up immediately when you first feel the need to breathe and let at least 3 minutes pass between unassisted dives in order to compensate for the acquired oxygen debt. with cylinders * make sure that you're diving with at least one person and always be informed on the location of the closest hyperbaric centre. When using cylinders do not go over 40 m of depth and come up at a rate of 10 m per minute, with an additional stop of 2 minutes at the scheduled decompression level.

7 FIRST AIP IN CA5E OF A5PHYXIA BY DROWNING hyperextension of the head on a rigid plane lay down the asphyxiated person on his back and throw back his head mouth to nose artificial respiration kneel on the side of the asphyxiated person, inhale deeply and then exhale in the nose while holding the mouth shut mouth to mouth artificial respiration kneel on the side of the asphyxiated person, inhale deeply and then exhale in the mouth while holding the nose shut external cardiac compression rest the proximal part of the hands at the centre of the lower half of the sternum and apply a perpendicular pressure at the rate of about sixty times per minute

8 II/'' Make sure you consult a doctor in case of stings from weever, scorpion fish, trigone or Spiny dogfish aculei (this could happen only when these are fished) or in case of pricks from tree frog aculei (alive in sandy shallow waters and therefore, though Very rarely, these could be stepped on by swimmers). In case of pricks from sea urchin aculei, these must be completely removed and the injury must then be disinfected, Avoid going in the water in the presence of jellyfish and sea anemones but, in case you have done so and should you have come into contact with them, don't touch your eyes; consult a doctor if you have reddening or blisters, Remember the action of the sun's rays is more intense out in the open sea, we suggest the use of special creams to avoid sun burns. During extended exposure to the sun, in particular head exposure, one can suffer a "sun stroke" which manifests itself with a very strong headache, nausea and vomiting. The person suffering from sun stroke should immediately be taken to a cool place, in semi-darkness or complete darkness, then his temperature should be lowered by means of cool packs all over the body, particularly on the forehead, on the nape and he should be made to drink cool drinks (not iced) aimed at stimulating activity (tea, coffee, but no alcoholic drinks).

9 It is therefore useful to follow certain rules: * always use a cream with a fairly high protection factor * do not expose yourself to the sun during midday hours (from a.m. to 4.00 p.m.) * use the shadow technique: if your shadow is shorter than you, stay out of the sun * never use reflecting surfaces such as aluminium sheets or mirrors * wear (children too) a hat with a visor * wear sunglasses with ultraviolet filters * it's possible to develop allergic reactions to the sun even after only a few minutes of exposure; often the rays themselves are responsible for the allergy, but sometimes it could be an ingredient of the sun cream or a drug which has been taken. e always a sun lotion with protective factor sufficentli high a hat and sunglasses Emergency at sea: (Freephone, free call) answered by Coast Guard at the Harbour Office Health emergency: 118 For info Harbour Office of La Spezia