West Bay Sea Swimming
safety equipment: where to find it & how to use it
This page will focus mainly on East beach, as it is where most of the regular swimmers swim, but it is well worth familiarising yourself with all the safety resources in the bay.
safety equipment: where to find it
overview of West Bay with locations of life saving equipment
zoomed in view of East Beach
Looking at this diagram is all very well, but it is highly probably you won’t remember this picture in an emergency. Be aware where the equipment is before you need it- so now and then on your way to the beach, look out for the life rings and the blue safety box (which contains safety equipment), and make a mental note of where they are. If you swim in a different spot than usual- have a quick scan around first.
There is a defibrillator at the sea facing side of the Bridport Arms, and, on the other side of the harbour mouth, there is one on the Harbour Master’s Office.
blue safety box
To open the safety box: use the key code to get the key from the key safe. Most of the swim groups should have this code number easily available. If you don’t know it- ask and find out now, then find some way to make it accessible or memorable to you; an emergency is not the time to go faffing about looking for it.
To close the safety box: the lock is operated by a coin slot, just tuck the coin into the slot which will enable you to turn the key, and then place the key back in the key safe.
June 2026: the blue box and key safe are in temporary positions. We will update with any changes
contents of safety box & how to use:
2 X self-warming blankets:
Single use self-warming blanket to help prevent hypothermia. Each blanket contains warming pads that are activated as soon as the blanket is removed from its packaging and exposed to air.
How to use: Tear the package open at the pre-cut tab. Remove the blanket from the package, open and unfold. Place the blanket on the patient with the pads facing up, don’t fold the blanket over itself and don’t tuck it under the patient or place on the patient’s face.
The blanket cannot be reused.
2 X throw bags:
Lengths of rope stuffed into a bag, with one end of the rope attached to the bag. The loose end of the rope is held onto, while the bag is thrown out to sea to a person in distress. The swimmer then grabs the rope, and the rescuer pulls them to shore.
How to use a throw bag:
Make sure you are in a safe and secure area and position before you throw- remain back from the water’s edge so you are not pulled in.
Pull a few meters of rope out of the bag. Hold the bag in the hand you will throw with, and secure the tail end with ( but not around) your non-throwing hand.
Shout to the swimmer to attract their attention.
Hold the neck of the bag and throw the bag towards the swimmer while keeping hold of the tail end of rope in your non-throwing hand.
If your first attempt misses, redeploy the line quickly. Bring the line back into your hand in a back-and-forth manner, making short loops. There will not be time to restuff the bag; if safe to do so, scoop some water into the bag, to give it enough weight to throw again.
When the swimmer grabs the line, the thrower can be in danger of being pulled forward. Get into a low wide stance, with firm footing. Brace yourself and using both hands, pull the swimmer towards you.
Never wrap the rope around your hand or around yourself, as you may get tugged into the water.
A throw bag is harder to throw than you may think, and an emergency is not the time to find this out. A rope rescue is much more likely to succeed when the thrower has experience with the equipment, so think about organising or joining throw bag practice sessions on the beach now. This will give you an idea of the feel of and weight of the bag and you will also be able to see whether you are a better overarm or underarm thrower. Practice will hopefully also increase the distance you can throw and improve your aim.
Survival bag:
A survival bag is an emergency, waterproof, and windproof shelter for retaining body heat when it’s cold and wet. Climb inside, or help someone inside, the pull it up, and allow your body heat to warm the interior.
First Aid bag:
With the usual first aid supplies:
If you have used any equipment, even from the first-aid kit, or if you think the box looks open/damaged etc. please let us know: wbsafetynetwork@btinternet.com