| There’s nothing better than a day at the beach. | | | | clarification about what they mean, ask a lifeguard. |
| The sun, the surf…what could be more fun? | | | | 6. Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean. Even the |
| However, no environment is risk free. The ocean is | | | | smallest wave can knock you over and cause injury, |
| powerful and unpredictable, and without the proper | | | | especially if you are caught by surprise. Always face |
| safety precautions our local beaches can be | | | | forward and never turn your back on the ocean. |
| dangerous. If you are a parent, please review this | | | | 7. Learn About Rip Currents and How to Get Out of |
| information with your kids before you visit the beach. | | | | Them. Ever notice that “muddy” ocean |
| 1. Learn to Swim. The ocean is powerful and can be | | | | water appearance flowing away from the shore? |
| difficult to navigate. Do not enter the ocean unless | | | | Chances are, that’s a rip current. Most lifeguard |
| you know how to swim. Similarly, never rely on | | | | rescues are due to people getting caught in rip |
| flotation devices such as rafts or boogie boards in | | | | currents. Even the strongest swimmers get caught in |
| place of actual swimming ability. If you fall off the | | | | them. They are dangerous because they pull you |
| flotation device, but do not know how to swim, you | | | | away from the beach into deeper water. To get out |
| could panic and have difficulty retrieving your flotation | | | | of a rip current, do not fight the current by trying to |
| device. Drownings can happen this way. | | | | swim to shore. Instead, swim parallel to the shore |
| 2. Swim Near a Lifeguard. The numbers don’t lie. | | | | until you are out of the current. Then you can swim |
| According to the United States Lifesaving Association | | | | safely back to the beach. |
| (USLA), the odds of drowning at a public beach are | | | | 8. Avoid Drugs and Alcohol. Alcohol and drugs can |
| nearly five times as great without lifeguard | | | | impair your judgment. Under their influence you might |
| supervision. The risk of drowning at a | | | | take unnecessary risks you otherwise would not. |
| lifeguard-protected beach is nearly nonexistent – | | | | Alcohol, which can lower your body temperature and |
| 18,000,000 to 1 – with lifeguard protection. | | | | weaken your swimming ability, plays a significant role |
| Always swim near an open lifeguard tower. No | | | | in many drownings. |
| lifeguard? No swimming! | | | | 9. Beware of Trash and Broken Glass. Your bare feet |
| 3. Protect Your Head and Neck. Never dive into the | | | | are perfect targets for broken glass and other trash |
| ocean headfirst – it’s a leading cause of head | | | | all over the beach. Walk gingerly and beware of |
| and neck injuries. Always enter the ocean feet first, | | | | these and other hazards. It is best to keep your |
| and when you are boogie/body boarding, keep your | | | | shoes on while walking between your car and the |
| hands out in front to protect your head and neck. | | | | area of the beach you set up. |
| 4. Never Swim Alone. Safety in numbers? You bet! | | | | 10. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen! Sunscreen |
| Always swim with a buddy and never swim alone, | | | | protects you and your family from harmful UVA and |
| because many drownings involve single swimmers. If | | | | UVB rays that can lead to sunburn and skin cancer. It |
| you ever get lost or separated from your buddy, tell | | | | should be applied several times during your day at |
| the lifeguard immediately. | | | | the beach, especially after spending time in the |
| 5. Obey All Posted Warning Signs and Flags. Signs and | | | | water. |
| flags alert you to ocean safety conditions. For | | | | |