Safe Swimming

*Every year drownings occur off Sri Lanka's beaches. If you aren't an experienced swimmer or surfer, it's easy to underestimate the dangers or even to be totally unaware of them. There are few full time lifesaving patrols, so there's usually no one to jump in and rescue you. A few common sense rules should be observed.
*Don't swim out of your depth. If you are a poor swimmer, always stay in the shallows.
*Don't stay in the water when you feel tired.
*Never go swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
*Supervise children at all time.
*Watch out for rips. Water brought onto the beach by waves is sucked back to sea and this current can be strong enough to drag you out with it. Rips in rough surf can sometimes be seen as calm patches in the disturbed water. It's best to check with someone reliable before venturing in to the water.
*If you do get caught in a rip swim across the current towards the breaking waves.in a rip,swim across the current towards the breaking waves. The currents are usually less where the waves are actually breaking and the surf will push you shoreward. Never try and swim against the current. If it's too strong for you to do this keep aflot and raise a hand so that someone on shore can see that you are in distress. A rip eventually weakens the important thing is not to panic.
*Exercise caution when there is surf.

*Beware of coral coming into contact with coral can be painful for the swimmer and fatal for the coral. Always check with someone reliable if you suspect the area you're about to swim in may have coral.  Never dive into the water. Hazards may be lurking under the surface or the water may not be as deep as it looks. It pays to be cautious.