No less than five victims during the first weekend of June last year! The maritime prefect of the Atlantic, Jean-François Quérat, did not fail to recall, this Monday, May 6, 2024, in Brest, the results of 2023.
Twenty-nine people died along the Atlantic coasts during the summer season, or 75 victims over the entire year. Imprudence, inconsistency, lack of knowledge of the environment, lack of preparation and checking of weather conditions… The factors are multiple “Safety, we take care of it but prevention must come from users” repeats the maritime prefect. “Users must inform their loved ones of their place of practice and the duration of their activity. »
Prepare for your first outing
Other advice for the first outings and swims of the season which must be the subject of the greatest vigilance: in addition to the equipment, which must be checked when it is put back into service, it is necessary to ensure its condition and its capacities physical, particularly swimmers and freedivers who should not overestimate their strength at the start of the season. Check the weather conditions carefully.
Another point of vigilance for people who are trapped by the rising tide on a sandbank or a rock. “You should never attempt to cross at the risk of being swept away by the current. It is better to call 196, the direct sea rescue number, and wait for rescuers to arrive. »
Every minute counts
Also pay attention to the water temperature which remains cool in this season, despite the appearance of the sun’s rays. Same encouragement for vigilance from Philippe Dutrieux, departmental delegate of the SNSM of Finistère. “We have 29 stations on alert and 17 first aid stations on the beaches in summer. It takes us between 15 and 20 minutes to trigger an intervention boat. » “Every minute counts, do not hesitate to dial 196”, remind the maritime prefect and Serge Chiarovano, the director of Cross Corsen. “In 2023, we carried out 4,000 relief operations and assisted a total of 6,000 people along the Atlantic coast,” summarizes Jean-François Quérat. “Even in case of doubt from the coast, you should not hesitate to call,” insist the main players in this new water sports safety campaign launched last week from Saint-Jean de Luz.
