What Cyprus Can Learn from Practical Applications in Other Countries
Leading coastal destinations do not rely solely on lifeguards. They combine risk mapping, daily assessment, patrols, technology, public rescue equipment and real-time digital information.
1. Australia — Beachsafe: A Digital Safety Profile for Every Beach
Australia operates Beachsafe, a platform developed by Surf Life Saving Australia. It provides information on:
• lifeguard patrols and operating hours,
• general risk level,
• rip currents and local hazards,
• wind, waves, tides and weather,
• accessibility and facilities,
• emergency warnings and beach closures,
• the nearest patrolled beach.
What Cyprus Could Adopt
An official Cyprus BeachSafe application could display:
• the current beach flag,
• lifeguard presence and operating hours,
• beach risk level,
• safe swimming zones,
• the nearest defibrillator and rescue equipment,
• warnings for currents, jellyfish, pollution and high waves.
Each beach would effectively have its own live digital safety identity.
2. Australia — Drones as Part of Beach Surveillance
Drones are used in Australia to monitor long coastlines, identify rip currents, detect marine hazards and locate swimmers in difficulty.
Some drones can also deliver a flotation device to a person in the water before rescuers arrive.
The aim is not to replace lifeguards. It is to extend their field of vision and improve initial response time.
Application in Cyprus
Drones could be used:
• on remote or difficult-to-access beaches,
• along large coastal areas,
• during rough sea conditions,
• following an emergency report,
• to confirm an incident before a full response is activated.
Their use requires trained operators, clear procedures and compliance with aviation and data protection rules.
3. United Kingdom — Planning Starts with Risk Assessment
The RNLI model does not begin with the question:
“How many lifeguards are available?”
It begins with:
“What risks does this beach present, and what level of protection is required?”
Beach risk assessments determine:
• the number of lifeguards,
• required equipment,
• operating season and hours,
• safe swimming areas,
• observation and emergency access points.
Assessments must be reviewed whenever conditions change because of erosion, sand movement, coastal works, waves or currents.
Moving Safe-Swimming Zones
Red and yellow flags identify the safest supervised area for swimming. Their position can change during the day as currents and wave conditions change.
Flags should not be treated as permanent beach decoration. They are operational safety tools that must follow the risk.
4. United Kingdom — Prevention Takes Place on the Beach
Much of a lifeguard’s work is preventive. It includes patrols, placing warning signs, moving flags and speaking directly with beach users.
When a new dangerous current is identified:
1. the flags are moved,
2. the safe-swimming zone is changed,
3. a temporary warning is placed,
4. swimmers are personally informed,
5. surveillance of the area is increased.
This approach is highly relevant to Cyprus, where conditions can change significantly between morning and afternoon.
5. United Kingdom — Public Rescue Equipment Based on Risk
The RNLI recommends that public rescue equipment should be positioned according to risk assessment rather than placed randomly or uniformly.
Equipment may include:
• lifebuoys and flotation devices,
• throw lines,
• emergency call points,
• clear instructions,
• a unique location number,
• a defibrillator where justified.
What Cyprus Needs
Remote or unstaffed beaches could have a standardized Beach Rescue Point containing:
• a rescue float and throw line,
• instructions in Greek and English using symbols,
• the emergency number 112,
• a unique location code,
• a QR code with exact coordinates,
• information on the nearest staffed rescue point.
6. New Zealand — Safeswim: Frequently Updated Risk Information
Safeswim brings together:
• water quality,
• lifeguard availability,
• weather,
• tides,
• safety warnings.
Water-quality risk information is updated frequently and displayed using a colour-coded system.
The main lesson for Cyprus is that each authority does not need a separate application. One national platform should combine verified information from all responsible bodies.
The public wants one clear answer:
“Is it safe to swim here now?”
7. Portugal — Integrated Beach and Water Information
Portugal’s InfoÁgua platform provides information on beaches, water quality and active warnings.
The Portuguese example shows that beach safety includes:
• sea conditions,
• water quality,
• services,
• warnings,
• access and infrastructure.
These should be presented through one connected system rather than several separate platforms.
A Practical Model for Cyprus
A. A Unified Beach Protection Service
One operational body should coordinate:
• risk assessment,
• staffing and patrols,
• digital information,
• rescue equipment,
• technological surveillance,
• emergency coordination,
• data collection and analysis.
B. Cyprus BeachSafe Application
Each beach could be shown with a live status:
• green: suitable,
• yellow: increased caution,
• red: unsafe for swimming,
• black: closed because of serious danger or pollution.
C. A Beach Safety Plan for Every Coastline
Each beach should have an individual plan covering:
• beach characteristics and known currents,
• risks created by coastal works,
• visitor numbers,
• safe entry points,
• ambulance access routes,
• rescue equipment,
• staffing needs,
• arrangements for unstaffed hours.
D. Mobile Patrols and Technology
Unstaffed beaches should be covered according to risk through:
• land patrols,
• sea patrols,
• drones,
• cameras directed towards the sea,
• direct connection with an operational center.
E. Public Rescue Equipment Network
All rescue equipment should:
• be placed after risk assessment,
• have a unique identification number,
• appear on the digital map,
• be inspected regularly,
• include instructions and exact coordinates.
F. Volunteer Coastal Rescue Teams
Local authorities could establish certified volunteer coastal teams.
These teams would support patrols, search operations, first aid and early reporting under official coordination.
They would not replace professional lifeguards. They would strengthen prevention and initial response.
G. Coastal Hotels, Organized Beaches, Restaurants and Businesses
Coastal hotels, organized beaches, restaurants, beach bars, diving schools and water-sports operators can become part of the local safety network.
They could provide:
• trained staff on each shift,
• direct contact with lifeguards and 112,
• basic rescue equipment and first aid,
• access to a defibrillator where appropriate,
• clear emergency procedures,
• exact location and ambulance access information.
Businesses with direct beach access should keep rescue equipment clearly visible and easily accessible.
They would not replace lifeguards, but they could improve early warning, first response and coordination.
H. A Local Emergency Communication Network
Each coastal area could connect lifeguards, local authorities, hotels, organised beaches, water-sports operators, volunteer teams, police, port authorities and ambulance services.
The network would allow:
• immediate incident reporting,
• accurate location sharing,
• warnings about changing conditions,
• mobilisation of the nearest available resource,
• coordination until official services arrive.
Main Conclusion
The safest destinations do not wait for an accident.
They identify risks, monitor changing conditions, inform the public, patrol beaches, adjust safe-swimming zones and use technology.
The international direction is clear:
Beach safety must move from static lifeguard presence to a dynamic and integrated coastal protection system.