Stay safe in the Yaeyama islands

Japan is a very safe country to travel. The Japanese people would like to prevent insecurity and choose safe situations first. That makes travelling through Japan enjoyable. We made a list of possible hazards on the beaches and inside the ocean. Don’t worry, this list is mainly to make you conscious and to prevent unnecessary situations.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Local police: 110
Ambulance: 119
Maritime accidents: 118

Check The Japan Meteorological Agency for up to date information on nature alerts.

OCEAN & BEACHES

The ocean in the Yaeyama islands is stunning, but be aware of hazards. There can be dangerous currents, jelly fish, man-o-war and other harmful creatures out there. They won’t hurt you if you avoid touching or provoking them unnecessarily.
Only swim if you learned to swim. If not, wear a life vest and swim with professional guides.
Avoid swimming alone and when the ocean is rough. Take a break on time.
If you’re snorkelling for the first time, learn from an expert/instructor and practice in shallow water first.
Not all beaches are protected by safety nets and beach guards. If you choose to swim here, consequently you do so at your own risk. Unfortunately every year the ocean still claims peoples lives. So please be careful.
Check the weather and tides.
Don’t go in the water if you’re not in a good condition. Don’t drink alcohol.
Don’t go behind the reefs as the currents can be strong. There are places with strong currents that can bring people out into open sea. For example the ocean at Yonehara beach.
Avoid touching anything in the ocean unless you know exactly what it is.
Use sunscreen and drink enough water.
It depends on the season and the location, but because of winds and currents, a lot of waste material can be found from other places around Japan. Waste and tropical beaches just don’t go together. It’s a large worldwide problem, and we should take care of it together. So please take your garbage with you when leaving the beach. Keep the beach and water clean.

Read here, which beaches have safety nets and beach guards.

What to do if you’re carried out to sea by a strong current?

Don’t panic, try to stay calm
Don’t swim against the current, you’ll get easily tired, but try to swim parallel to the shore across the current
Signal for help
If you can’t get out, the best thing to do is to go with the flow and as soon as the current stops, return from there
When you feel, you’re out of the current try to reach the nearest land

The ultraviolet rays in the Yaeyama islands are stronger than in other parts of the world. To avoid damaging your health, take precautions against it:

Use sunscreen and wear sunglasses
Drink frequently
Wear a hat, stay in the shade and avoid the sun at the highest point of the day

DANGEROUS CREATURES & FIRST AID

Habu – Wikipedia (Koolah)

Habu:
Check if it was a habu bite. Within 5 minutes, the bitten area swells and becomes very painful. Don’t run, because the poison circulates faster. You have to go to hospital immediately to receive a serum. If you have to walk, go slowly.
Suck the blood and poison out from the wound. The poison breaks down in the stomach.

Box jellyfish – Wikipedia

Box jellyfish:
If you’re stung, get out of the ocean right away. Do not rub the affected area. Pour plenty of vinegar on the affected area (only effective for box jellyfish). Gently remove the tentacles by hand. If it hurts, apply ice or cold water.

First aid Crown of thorns starfish, Sea urchin, Stonefish, Lionfish, Striped catfish eel, Flower urchin:
Remove any large, visible spines and bathe in 40 to 45°C water. You can also pour hot water in a plastic bag and apply it to the affected area. Be careful not to burn yourself.