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| To fully enjoy a safe outing at a park beach, follow these tips: |
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| Keep an eye on the kids! |
| Swimming is a staple of summer fun and includes getting everything for a fun day at the beach ready ahead of time – sun lotion, snacks, etc. We would also like to remind parents, guardians and all adults to keep an eye on children when they are in the water. It only takes a moment for a fun family outing to turn into a tragedy. |
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| Sunburn |
| A sunburn occurs when skin is burned by exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light.Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours. Check out this article on the National Library of Medicine. |
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| Beware Of What You Cannot See |
| It's always a good idea to bring protective footwear for walks in areas where you can not see the ground. Whether you enjoy getting calf deep, hip deep, or in over your head, it's a fact of modern life that many of our beaches are trash repositories. Broken shells can cut your feet, some sealife sting when you stip on them. |
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| Cold Water Can Shock Your Body |
Shivering and chattering teeth can be the first telltale signs of hypothermia. Others are: shivering, cold, blue or paling skin; mental confusion; slurred speech; enlarged pupils; and weak pulse and slowed breathing. To save a hypothermia sufferer, call for medical assistance and then take these first-aid steps to help the person regain heat:
Gently move the person to shelter and warmth. The victim shouldn't walk. This will reduce the likelihood of cold, stagnant blood dropping the body's core temperature.
Carefully remove the victim's wet clothing. Wrap the person in blankets.
Don't give the person anything to drink — not even hot liquids. |
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| Up Your Odds as You Swim in the Sea |
| The odds of drowning at a lifeguard-protected beach are slim, but swim where no guard is stationed and your odds of drowning are many times greater, according to national statistics. Swim Near a Lifeguard. Otherwise, you're gambling with your life. |
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| If You Dive, Protect Your Neck |
| Check for depth and obstructions before diving, and always extend your hands in front of your head. Protect your head, neck, and spine -- don't dive into unfamiliar waters -- feet first, first time |
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| Don't Float Where You Can't Swim |
| Non-swimmers can drown quickly if they fall off an inflatable raft. Be aware that even close to shore, there can appear sudden deep spots called "in-shore holes" that can endanger a non-swimmer who just wants to wade. |
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| Rip Currents |
| What is a Rip Current?
Basically, a rip is a body of water moving out to sea. It is the most common water hazard leading a swimmer to distress and potential rescue. Rips are found wherever there is a hole or channel in the ocean bottom. As the water rushes through this area, it becomes churned, collected, and searches for a way back to sea. Once it finds a path, it rushes through the channel like a river. This tends to pull any person or object in that area away from the shore.
Telltale signs of rip currents are:
a noticeable difference in water color
gaps or flat sections in the waves breaking out in the water
foam or objects moving steadily seaward
a specific area of water that appears more turbulent
How to Escape a Rip's Grip
Relax. Seems like a natural when you're lounging on the beach. But when you're getting dragged out to sea by a runaway rip current, reflex might say "panic" Don't. Lifeguards say it's better to "go with the flow."
Tread water and call and wave for help. Or if you can, swim parallel to the shoreline until you're out of the current, which will likely measure 50 feet to more than 50 yards wide.
Even the strongest swimmer can be overwhelmed by a rip current, lifeguards warn, because outsmarting a rip — not outswimming it — is the key to staying alive. |
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| Basic Safe Swimming Suggestions |
| Learn to swim and never swim alone |
| Swim only in designated areas at the beach or lake |
| Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present |
| Don't rely on floation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them |
| Alcohol and swimming don't mix |
| If you are in trouble, call or wave for help |
| Follow regulations and lifeguard directions |
| Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances |
Exercise caution since lakes, oceans and gulfs, unlike pools,
may have murky water making it difficult to see drop offs |
| Scuba dive only if trained and certified -- and within your limits |
| No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass cuts your feet |
| Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards |
Use the buddy system and designate one member of your party
to remain on the beach to watch those who are swimming |
| Take regular breaks and relax on the beach |
| Bring a cell phone to make an emergency call if necessary |
| Stay clear of coastal bluffs, they can collapse and cause injury |
| Obey park rules and keep an eye on the kids! |
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| Never Turn Your Back To The Ocean |
| Watch for oncoming waves so they don't catch you off-guard. You may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning. |
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| Most people drown within 10-30 feet of safety. |
| It is important that you and your family learn to swim. Please watch your kids around water! Swim Safely. |
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