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Summer campaign. Safety at the beach

The flags

Before entering the water you should check the flag displayed by lifeguards and local authorities to see whether bathing is advisable:

Green

Green flag

The green flag indicates that bathing is allowed , and that conditions for swimming and diving are good.

It means that the state of the sea is suitable for swimming, there is no waste or pollution that might be harmful to human health and that there is no danger to swimmers from jellyfish or small sharks.

When will you see a green flag?

  • When the sea is calm and it is safe to swim
  • When the quality of the water and the general state of the beach are good.
  • When no other risks to swimmers have been detected.

In Italy the equivalent flag is white.

However, the sea is often unpredictable and bathers should always take precautions, pay attention to any warnings from lifeguards and supervise children carefully.





Yellow

Yellow flag

A yellow flag means that caution must be exercised , when swimming or diving.

It shows that conditions are rougher but they do not constitute a threat to the safety of swimmers. It may indicate large waves or rip currents, so swimmers need to be especially careful.

When will you see a yellow flag?

  • When the height of the waves reaches one and a half metres and may cause problems for those in the sea.
  • When there are relatively strong rip currents.
  • When storms or other weather conditions make surveillance difficult.
  • When there are spills or other foreign substances in the water.
  • When the state of the sand is bad.
  • When there are jellyfish or other harmful organisms in the water.
  • In any other situations where there is a moderate risk to swimmers.

The purple flag indicating marine pests such as jellyfish and sea snakes is not used in Catalonia.

 

Red

Red flag

A red flag indicates that no swimming or diving is allowed.

This flag is the most serious warning as it indicates risks for the health of bathers from dangerous currents, heavy waves, weather conditions, pollution or dangerous animals.

When will you see a red flag?

  • When the height of waves is two metres or more and can constitute a serious danger for swimmers.
  • When there are strong or very strong rip currents that might drag swimmers out to sea.
  • When the sea is very rough.
  • When there are adverse weather conditions that make bathing dangerous.
  • When the sea or sand are polluted.
  • When a large number of dangerous sea creatures are in the vicinity.
  • In any other situations where there is a serious risk to swimmers.

In some other countries there is also a double red flag, which indicates that the beach is closed to the public.