OT: kids in a dinghy in the sea safety question

Let's say you're thinking of buying an inflatable dinghy to put 2 young kids in the sea at the beach. What would be your recommended safety equipment?

I'm thinking 2 lifejackets and a rope to tie to the dinghy and the supervisor to hold the other end. Anything else? Trying to balance having fun with safety here, I don't want to skimp on safety but on the other hand I don't want to overdo it and turn it into a H&S session.

Also, just out of interest, what do you people do with your valuables at the beach when you're in the sea? Phone, camera, car key, wallet etc, stuff that you need with you but can't get wet or sandy or nicked. I was there yesterday and had to leave it all in a carrier bag on the beach while I was in the sea, couldn't relax.

Reply to
Mentalguy2k8
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My recollection is that the beach was about running in and out of the water, splashing around, building sandcastles, burying grandpa in the sand, doing a bit of swimming if able, etc. I'm not sure a dinghy would have been significant extra appeal on top of all that for a young child, particularly if they can't swim and/or have to wear a life jacket.

When I was old enough to be interested in going out in boats, it was on rivers, not in the sea.

We usually had someone in the party who didn't particularly like going in the water, and was happy to sunbathe with it. Otherwise, take it in turns.

Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

.and if the towel blows away???

Reply to
Harry Bloomfield

You should see a patch of freshly turned over sand. Probably best to also plant a stick or a little flag next to the towel.

Reply to
Bod

Choose a beach with a lifeguard and stay in the patrolled area.

If the wind is strong or the sea rough, leave the inflatable behind.

Make sure the inflatable has a designed in strong point to attach the safety rope to.

Buy floating rope and make it twice as long as you think you will need. Double it to create a loop at the centre point. Pass the loop through the strong point and pass the ends through the loop. Take both ends back to the shore. The kids now cannot untie the rope.

Don't rely upon a person to hold the rope. Take a screw anchor of the type used to tie up inland waterways boats or to tie down light aircraft, screw that into the beach (or bury it deep in pebbles depending upon the beach) and tie both ends of the rope to it. That means the rope cannot be released by accident and allows the supervisor to run for help, if necessary. The supervisor should NOT try to carry out a rescue alone if simply pulling on the rope does not work.

Not that I ever go into the sea, even though I drive past it most days. However, I would buy one of the waterproof cases sold to allow you to take that sort of thing into the sea with you.

Colin Bignell

Reply to
Nightjar

My parents bought me and my brother an inflatable dingy. My Dad blew it up an just shoved us into the sea and let us get on with it.

Reply to
ARW

Ring the phone !

Reply to
Andy Cap

And write "VALUABLES HERE!!!" on the flag :)

Funnily enough there was one of those odd men roaming the beach yesterday with a metal detector, he'd have thought it was Xmas if he'd uncovered my stash!

Reply to
Mentalguy2k8

Excellent advice, thanks. Yesterday we were right next to the inshore rescue building so I figured that was the safest place to be near to. I was only thinking of 5 or 10 metres of distance for the rope anyway, I wasn't thinking of letting them drift to the Isle of Wight :) Maybe even secure the rope at the beach end and wade alongside them.

Thanks again.

Reply to
Mentalguy2k8

They can swim, but I'm not sure how they would cope if they capsized. I know what you mean though, I'll probably spend an hour blowing it up, tying up ropes and they'll do it for 2 minutes and get bored. They keep on at me about going on a proper boat (ferry isn't exciting any more), I just thought this would be a good way to build them up and see if they got on with it.

Reply to
Mentalguy2k8

You've hit the nail on the head. If its small enough to capsize intentionally, then it's best for them to experience a capsize drill in benign circumstances.

I would suggest buoyancy aids, not life-jackets.

Reply to
Fredxx

+1

Buoyancy aids are much better for those who know how to swim.

Colin Bignell

Reply to
Nightjar

Hmm, well never go alone I'd say, or leave stuff well hidden in car, and then you only have keys. Of course in my day, never had phones... As for safety. Difficult but in this sort of weather the sun is probably just as dangerous as the waves etc. I got heat stroke in the Isle of Wight when young, I never went on the beach again after that experience and learned a lot about sunburn, dehydration and our humid summers. Brian

Reply to
Brian Gaff

Proper boat most likely has somewhere you can stash your valuables.

But on safety - only use an inflatable when the wind is onshore (it usually is on a nice day at the seaside) because then they won't go heading out to sea.

And watch them. No, more carefully than that.

Andy

Reply to
Vir Campestris

Although I am sceptical of the actual number, today one of our "weather stations" reported 4% RH; the other said "LO" - meaning below its lower measuring ability. Hardly humid. :-)

Reply to
polygonum

Locally, the wind may change direction if the tide is coming in or going out. Around my way the low tide exposes very many square miles of sand which, in this weather, gets hot. The temperature of this area changes rapidly when the tide comes in.

Reply to
alan

Lucky you. I had to blow up my own spacehopper on the motorway hard shoulder.

Owain

Reply to
spuorgelgoog

Can't really remember exactly when I got my first inflatable - but still at junior school. Safety kit supplied included oars ;-)

The rest you worked out for yourself!

Reply to
John Rumm

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