Open-water swimming safety guide for the Philippines
Safer sea, lake and river swimming in the Philippines: buddy rules, tow floats, currents, heat, marine life, entry and exit, and what to ask event organisers.
Sun, heat and hydration: staying safe on and in the water in the Philippines
What PAGASA heat index levels mean, how to read the UV index, which sunscreen to use for swimming, and the signs of dehydration and heat illness on the water.
Typhoons, storm surge and flash floods: staying safe near water
What PAGASA wind signals 1 to 5 and the yellow, orange and red rainfall warnings mean, why storm surge and flash floods drown people, and what to do.
Rip currents and how to escape them
What a rip current is, how to spot one at Philippine beaches, and what to do if you are caught: float, swim sideways, signal for help. Sources cited.
How to prevent drowning, based on WHO's six evidence-based measures. Barriers, supervision, swim skills, rescue training, safer boats and floods, with Philippine examples.
Where and how drownings happen in the Philippines
Rivers, beaches, resorts, wells, floods and boats: where drownings happen in the Philippines, why, and a quick checklist before you swim.