Contents -- List of acronyms and abbreviations -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Executive summary -- CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION -- 1.1 General considerations -- 1.2 Types of recreational water environment -- 1.3 Types of use -- 1.4 Types of user -- 1.5 Hazard and risk -- 1.6 Measures to reduce risks in water recreation -- 1.7 Managing recreational waters -- 1.8 Nature of the guidelines -- 1.9 References -- CHAPTER 2. DROWNING AND INJURY PREVENTION -- 2.1 Drowning -- 2.2 Spinal injury -- 2.3 Brain and head injuries -- 2.4 Fractures, dislocations and other minor impact injuries -- 2.5 Cuts, lesions and punctures -- 2.6 Interventions and control measures -- 2.7 Monitoring and assessment -- 2.8 References -- CHAPTER 3. SUN, HEAT AND COLD -- 3.1 Exposure to ultraviolet radiation -- 3.2 Exposure to cold -- 3.3 Exposure to heat -- 3.4 References -- CHAPTER 4. FAECAL POLLUTION AND WATER QUALITY -- 4.1 Approach -- 4.2 Health effects associated with faecal pollution -- 4.3 Approaches to risk assessment and risk management -- 4.4 Guideline values -- 4.5 Assessing faecal contamination of recreational water environments -- 4.6 Classification of recreational water environments -- 4.7 Management action -- 4.8 References -- CHAPTER 5. FREE-LIVING MICROORGANISMS -- 5.1 Human pathogenic Vibrio species -- 5.2 Aeromonas species -- 5.3 Free-living amoebae -- 5.4 Leptospira species -- 5.5 Guideline values -- 5.6 Risk assessment and control measures -- 5.7 References -- CHAPTER 6. MICROBIAL ASPECTS OF BEACH SAND QUALITY -- 6.1 Microorganisms in beach sand -- 6.2 Dispersion and fate of microorganisms in beach sand -- 6.3 Guideline values -- 6.4 Research and monitoring -- 6.5 Management actions -- 6.6 References -- CHAPTER 7. ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA IN COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WATER -- 7.1 Exposure through dermal contact -- 7.2 Exposure through ingestion (of water or scum).

7.3 Exposure through inhalation -- 7.4 Identification of marine toxic algae and cyanobacteria -- 7.5 Guideline values -- 7.6 Precautionary measures -- 7.7 References -- CHAPTER 8. ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA IN FRESH WATER -- 8.1 Occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria -- 8.2 Formation of cyanobacterial blooms -- 8.3 Cyanotoxins -- 8.4 Evidence for toxicity of cyanobacteria -- 8.5 Evidence for toxicity of algae -- 8.6 Health risk evaluation -- 8.7 Guideline values -- 8.8 Management options -- 8.9 References -- CHAPTER 9. AESTHETIC ISSUES -- 9.1 Aesthetic parameters -- 9.2 Economic consequences -- 9.3 Marine debris monitoring -- 9.4 Guideline values and management -- 9.5 References -- CHAPTER 10. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL AGENTS -- 10.1 Exposure assessment -- 10.2 Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) -- 10.3 Dissolved oxygen -- 10.4 Chemical contaminants -- 10.5 Guideline values -- 10.6 Approach to assessing chemical hazards in recreational waters -- 10.7 References -- CHAPTER 11. DANGEROUS AQUATIC ORGANISMS -- 11.1 Disease vectors -- 11.2 "In-water" hazardous organisms -- 11.3 "Water's-edge" hazardous organisms -- 11.4 Venomous invertebrates -- 11.5 Venomous vertebrates -- 11.6 References -- CHAPTER 12. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT -- 12.1 Design and implementation of monitoring programmes -- 12.2 Aspects relevant to specific hazards -- 12.3 Progressive implementation of monitoring and assessment -- 12.4 References -- CHAPTER 13. APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR SAFE RECREATIONAL WATER USE -- 13.1 Application of guidelines -- 13.2 Recreational water safety plan -- 13.3 Compliance and enforcement -- 13.4 Control and abatement technology -- 13.5 Public awareness and information -- 13.6 Public health advice and intervention (including prevention and rescue services) -- 13.7 Operating within an integrated coastal area management framework.

13.8 References -- APPENDIX A. LIFEGUARDS.