France is to introduce a new system of colored flags on its beaches in a bid to improve water safety, reduce drownings and comply with international standards.
New red and yellow flags will come into effect in the coming weeks, confirmed a decree published in the Official Journal. Flags will indicate whether a given bathing area, if used, is under surveillance and safe to use.
The system has already been deployed on some beaches in France, but should now appear everywhere.
Composition of the new system
Triangular flags will be replaced by rectangular ones. However, red and yellow flags will indicate swimming areas. Eventually, a traffic light system will also be in place to identify the safe use of the area.
It will be as follows:
- Green : Supervised bathing without apparent danger
- Yellow or Orange: Supervised swimming with limited or possible danger
- Red : No swimming
- Purple : Water pollution or the presence of dangerous (or protected) marine life
The flag system will also include:
- Checkerboard: An “area for practicing aquatic or nautical sports, where swimming is not prohibited but is at the risk of swimmers”.
- Orange Windsock: “Adverse wind conditions” for certain water activities, such as the use of inflatable structures.
- Blue circle: the area requires permission to use, e.g. for sailing
- White circle with a red line through it: an activity is prohibited, such as fishing
- Yellow triangle bordered with black: A contest is in progress.
The new flag system will set a standard across France and bring the country into line with international standards.
The famous French “blue flag” will remain in place alongside the new system. And will denote a particular quality of a beach and/or a bathing area, and the quality of its disabled access.
The new flag system comes as the Department of Health seeks to reduce the risk of serious drowning incidents at sea. Most of which occur in shallow water.
A new flag system to reduce the number of incidents
A 2021 survey found there were 436 incidents that required hospitalization or resulted in death. And this less than 300 meters from the shore from June 1 to August 21, 2021.
This makes it by far the most common area for drowning incidents. By comparison, there were 249 in private family pools. 139 in rivers or canals. 119 in lakes or similar. 56 in the sea over 300 meters and 44 in public swimming pools.
The study also showed that the highest number of accidental drownings resulting in death were more common in coastal regions. Particularly in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and in Occitania.
In France, the surveillance of bathing at sea is ensured either by the Republican Security Companies (CRS). Either by the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM), depending on the area.