How To Do Just About Everything
By dhinkle
Stay Safe at the Beach
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I've been a beach lifeguard for a number of years. On average I rescue about 40-50 people each summer from hazardous surf. Here are a few tips for keeping you and your kids safe at your local beaches.
Make sure to always wear sunscreen. You'll need to apply a 35spf or higher sunscreen every 45 minutes to avoid getting sunburned. Sunscreen does wash of after you go in the water even if it says waterproof so make sure to reapply another coat after you exit.
Rip currents are the #1 thing you should watch out for when playing in the water. They can sweep you out to shore when your only up to your waist. They are extremely strong but fairly easy to escape from if you stay calm. You can identify a rip by its color (usually brown and murky), you will also see the white tips of waves as they swirl around. To escape just swim in the opposite direction in which the rip is traveling. See my article on Escaping a Rip Current for more information.
Another big concern at the beach is hazardous surf. It's a good idea to check in with the lifeguard on duty (if there is one) and question them about the conditions. If there is no lifeguard on duty there are usually signs on the back of lifeguard towers indicating the conditions. If neither are available just use your good judgment. If it's 2-3 ft then no problem, but if it's reaching 5ft or higher I wouldn't recommend going for a swim unless your an experienced waterman w/ fins.
Groins aka Jetty's are a rock like formation protruding out to sea. These are there for a purpose, there not for you to play on. They are meant to slow down the flow of water down shore. When walking/fishing on the jetty be extremely careful, they can be slippery, high surf can wash you off and they are populated by wild life that can be harmful. Exercise caution when playing on or around the structures.
Broken glass and sharp objects litter the beach so remember to watch carefully where your stepping and avoid anything that looks hazardous in the sand. If you notice any bottles on the beach please be a good patron and dispose of properly.
Fire Pits are another hazard at local beaches. I've seen countless times where children and adult have burned themselves by playing around a fire pit. Embers remain hot for hours even days so don't let your children play unattended when fire pits are present. If a burn does occur, cold water is the best option. If you don't have any locate a group that has a cooler and alert them of your situation, usually they will let you use it. Also alert the lifeguard as soon as possible, they deal with burns on a weekly basis.
There's nothing worse that getting lost at a crowded beach, especially when you don't have a cell phone. If you or your child gets lost your best option is to check with the nearest lifeguard. They can contact all the towers along the beach as well as the authorities if necessary.
Skim boarding even though fun can be dangerous on a crowded beach. Be aware of skim boarders who are inexperienced because their boards could come out from under them and take out another person. I've seen it a dozen times. When skim boarding DON'T do it in a crowded area, find a stretch of beach that is open and fairly free of people.
Surfing is another activity at the beach. Stay clear of any surfer who looks to be learning. DO NOT surf in a crowded area and always surf with a leash just in case you fall off your board. The tip and skags of the surfboard are the most dangerous parts on a surfboard, they are extremely sharp and can puncture/lacerate the skin if contact is made.
Tar is not that dangerous, it's more of a nuisance. You will occasionally encounter tar and it will get stuck to your feet. The best option for removal is hot water, soap or even soda water. It won't get rid of all of it but remove a good portion.
Sting rays are fairly common at the beach. They feed in the shallow depths along the shoreline. I've dealt with many stingray related injuries, none to severe. To avoid stingrays when entering the water your best bet is to shuffle your feet as you walk out. This will keep you from stepping directly on them. If you suffer a stingray related injury, consult your nearest lifeguard or place your foot in hot water for up to 20 minutes. This will relieve the pain as the poison dissipates.
Digging holes at the beach can be extremely fun. It can also be dangerous. I remember one particular occurrence in which a child was digging a hole, he reached about six feet until it collapsed on him. They managed to revive him but it was a close call. To remain safe when digging holes at the beach DO NOT dig past your waste. Tunnels are also extremely dangerous on account they can collapse and bury an individual under 5 feet (a couple hundred pounds) of sand. Stay safe when digging and don't get to crazy.
Shore break is another dangerous aspect of the beach to look out for. When waves are breaking in only a couple of feet of water it becomes much more dangerous. It can also sweep you out if your not careful.
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Comments
AngieA said
on 7/23/2008 Very helpful. Thanks!
welch said
on 4/15/2008 Great Article