Every summer in Australia, millions of people head to the beach, and every year, thousands are rescued by lifeguards or surf lifesavers and even surfers or other bystanders. Tragically, many people lose their lives on our coasts.

Surf lifesavers rescue thousands of people every year. Credit: Fairfax Media.

The red and yellow flags, iconic to many Australians, are meant to be a simple and easy to understand message. They denote a safe and patrolled place to go in the water at the beach. Surfers are supposed to surf outside the flags, while others swim (or wade, or frolic) between the flags.

But for many international visitors, the message is less clear. They may not make sense to people born overseas. Research shows international students often misinterpret what beach flags indicate or assume calm water is safe.

These flags are not universal. Around the world, beach safety is communicated in different ways, with different colours, symbols, messages, and even patrol systems.

A surf lifesaver warns swimmers to move back inside the flags. Credit: Fairfax Media

Despite the significant efforts of water safety organisations, drowning rates

© The Sydney Morning Herald