Swimming in Réunion Island is quite dangerous and especially at secluded beaches.  
It is advised to swim in protected coral reef lagoon.  
On this page, you’ll find a few advices on the behaviours to be adopted if an emergency arises.      

Life-guards

Sea Rescue: 0262 434343
Saint-Gilles : “Plage de Boucan” 0262 244205 open from 10 00 am to 05 30 pm
“La Plage des Roches Noires” 0262 244214 open from 10 00am to 05 30 pm
La Saline : “La Plage de l'Hermitage” 0262 244441 open from 10 00 am to 05 30pm
l'Hermitage Channel 0262 338333 open from 10 00 am to 05 30 pm
Saint-Leu : 0262 347106 open from 10 00 am to 05 30 pm
Etang-Salé : 0262 266030 open from 09 30 am to 06 00pm
Saint-Pierre : 0262 250476 open from  09 30 am to 06 00pm

Lagoons

-  Stonefish

Slip on your flippers or rubber shoes to protect your feet against corals, sea-urchins and stonefish.  Be careful, the corals are very brittle.    
The stonefish is motionless and is often mistaken for rocks.  It is widespread in the shallow tropical marine water and its main habitat is on coral reefs.  Stonefish is often camouflaged.  Its spines in the dorsal fin inject highly toxic venom, which has neurotoxic, myotoxic and haemorraghic effects.  The stonefish sting can cause excruciating local pain and oedema (this may result in diaphragmatc paralysis, heart failure, histaminic shock and eventually into death).  

First Aid for stonefish sting:
•    If the injured person is still in the sea, immediately remove from the water (to avoid drowning).
•    Immerse the stung area in warm water (do not exceed 45°C°) for 1hr to 1 30 hrs to reduce the pain of stonefish envenomation.
•    Seek immediate medical attention after providing first aid.


- Sea currents  
Although on calm days, you need to be careful about the currents, especially near the channel.
The ocean tide plays a crucial role in the direction and intensity of the currents in the channels.    
The channels are marked by stakes.
Etang-Salé les Bains and l'Hermitage are the most dangerous channels.
You must always be on your guard as sea currents are so unpredictable.
 

Waves  

The waves are very often powerful and therefore, dangerous.  
To fully enjoy the beauty of the waves, you need to respect a few simple regulations.    
It is required to observe the flow of water before swimming.
Often, the swimmers are surprised by the strength of the waves and sea currents in places such as Etang Salé beach (where it is allowed to swim only in some areas).         
Indeed, the sea may look very calm between two series of waves.  Therefore, it is advisable to remain alert as this occasional high tide often hides a heavy swell.      

If you get into troubles swimming in a current:   
•    Raise your hand and indicate that you are in trouble
•    Don’t panic!  Try and swim parallel to the beach, until you’re out of the current.  Then swim to the shore.  If you can’t, let the current take you out from the beach.  
If you are caught in a strong wave and current and you are unable to reach the shore:
•    Raise your hand and indicate that you are in trouble
•    You need to quickly get out from the current (the area where the waves are breaking)
•    Don’t panic and head towards the open sea and try to swim under the breaking waves in skimming the sea bed (thus, you’ll avoid waves turbulence).