Water and general safety, Sydney

Blue Bottles. - Are often seen on Sydney Beaches, if stung then head straight to a lifeguard or lifesaver. They are always found on patrolled beaches.

• Remove any tentacles with fingers
• Wash sting area with saltwater to remove any stinger cells still on the skin and not visible to the naked eye
• Place ice on the area for a 30 minutes to assist in reducing swelling.

SWIM BETWEEN THE FLAGS>

Red and Yellow Flags - it is safe to swim between the flags, and its the safest spot to swim.

Yellow Flags - the surf is potentially dangerous with bad conditions.

Red Flags - DANGER - DO NOT SWIM IN THE WATER - when the red flag is up the beach is closed.

Never swim at unpatrolled beaches.

Never swim at night.

Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Never swim directly after a meal.

As has been said, Kings Cross is reasonably safe at night. The main street is always well-lit and well-populated. The back streets are mostly narrow alleys which you generally wouldn't need to explore, except for the fact that this is also where you will find some of Kings Cross's best nightclubs and cafe's tucked away. Even so, it's quite safe.

I am very familiar with Sydney, so heed the following recommendations: After dark, the following areas may feel or literally be unsafe: Redfern, Chippendale (which borders Redfern), Glebe (it's gotten worse in recent years), Waterloo near the housing estate, Woolloomooloo near the housing estate, and the areas around Central Station.

The George Street cinema strip is busy and well-populated, but I would avoid flashing any valuables here, as well.

Redfern is by far the worst, so be very careful (or avoid it completely) after dark.

Watch out for blue bottles!! They're really nasty little things, I have never been stung by one, but I was watching bondi beach patrol (or some name like that) and these little blues STICK to you and the part that sticks to you is their stinger and it's hard to get off because then you get stung on the fingers and it's a disaster! Just watch out for them. They normally are in swimming areas just after a storm (for the next two days I was told).

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This tip is already out there but it can't be said enough. While basking in the sun on Bondi Beach I watched as lifeguards came to the rescue. A swimmer had gotten caught in a rip tide and the lifeguard was directing him to "swim toward the flags, swim toward the flags" over his loudspeaker. The swimmer made it safely and I'm sure he probably paid more attention to where he was swimming after that!

I'm in Sydney right now, and i have been for the last couple of days. I've been through KC and Darlinghurst and never have i felt unsafe or anything. As long as you be careful, take all the proper precautions and don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine.

This warning really applies to any Australian beach.

Each year people (particularily tourists) drown in unpatrolled areas.

Please swim only on beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and swim only between the flags.

The lifeguards check conditions each morning and will only place flags in safe areas.

Rips can be quite strong, and can be very difficult to swim against even if you are a strong swimmer. Even between the flags you can drift down the beach. So keep a constant eye out for where you are in relation to the flags. If you are caught in a rip, don't try to swim straight across it, try to swim diagonally. Stay calm, and if you are really in trouble raise one arm and yell so a lifeguard or fellow swimmer can see that you are in trouble.

Try to stay where you can touch the ground, even when the waves comes over you.

Always swim between flags in Australia. We often have strong undercurrents and rips.
Dont leave valuables on beach - better to leave in safe in Hotel room before heading out for day. Lock cars in beach areas.

Shark attacks coming soon... Hopefully this one was prevented by the underwater tunnel at the Sydney Aquarium Darling Harbour ;-) I always feel safe in the Australian water when swimming or diving especially if there were shark net and an patrol surveillance helicopter. Just kidding again. Now the official part to prevent any shark problems...

Shark attacks occur rarely. Only a few of the 450 or so shark species have been known to attack people. Unfortunately, some attacks are fatal.

There are some easy and commonsense precautions to take that can help reduce the risk of a shark attack. This risk minimisation advice is reproduced from the Australian Shark Attack File.

1. Do not swim, dive or surf where dangerous sharks are known to congregate. For instance as I experimented on Fraser Island beaches...
2. Always swim, dive or surf with other people.
3. Do not swim in dirty or turbid water.
4. Avoid swimming well offshore, near deep channels, at river mouths or along drop-offs to deeper water.
5. If schooling fish start to behave erratically or congregate in large numbers, leave the water.
6. Do not swim with pets and domestic animals.
7. Look carefully before jumping into the water from a boat or wharf.
8. If possible do not swim a dusk or at night.
9. Do not swim near people fishing or spear fishing.
10. If a shark is sighted in the area leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible.

Encouraging, have a safe swimming...