While a day at the beach or a full vacation can be relaxing, it is important to take precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. Kids especially must be aware of the differences between swimming in a pool and ocean waters including rip currents, cold water shock and rocky coastline hazards.
Every family should learn how to swim so that they achieve water competency skills – being able to enter the water, breathe, change position in the water, stay afloat and swim a distance to then get out of the water.
Know How to Swim
Swimming at the beach is always fun, but it’s also important to know how to swim in order to keep yourself and your kids safe. Most overseas holiday destinations don’t have lifeguards, so if you plan on swimming at the beach you should do some research beforehand and familiarize yourself with the local rules and regulations. Look up which beaches include lifeguards, learn about the flag system and ask about rip tides and dangerous currents. In addition, make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim well and if they don’t, consider enrolling them in some swimming lessons before the trip.
One of the most important beach safety tips is to never turn your back to incoming waves, as it only takes a split second for a wave to break over you and carry you out to sea. Another important water safety tip is to avoid bringing inflatable toys, as they can easily become a hazard in the surf.
Knowing how to swim will not only ensure your family’s safety in the water, but it will also allow you to take part in all the other fun beach activities that come with it, such as surfing, snorkeling, boogie boarding and even fishing. Learning to swim helps children strive for physical achievement, builds confidence and can also save lives in emergency situations.
Rip currents are a common beach hazard and are responsible for many rescues performed by lifeguards. Learn to spot them by looking out for a low area in the water, a change in water color and signs such as a jettie or pier. In addition, know how to swim out of a rip current so that you can be rescued when needed.
Know the Water Conditions
Beaches are a fun place to spend time with friends and family, but they can also be dangerous. A few basic beach safety tips can save you from an emergency situation and keep your vacation a great one.
Learn about the water conditions before you get in the water. Check the local weather forecasts and beach safety warnings to see if the conditions are safe. Also, learn what the different colors of beach flags mean – although they may differ slightly from one area to another. Ask the lifeguards about the local water conditions, too.
The biggest danger at the beach isn’t sharks, jellyfish, or toxic red tides, it’s rip currents. These powerful currents are responsible for most of the lifeguard rescues. They form when surf pushes a river of water up the beach’s slope and gravity pulls it back, creating a focused current offshore that can drag people out to sea.
You should also know about other potential dangers of the ocean’s waters, including high levels of bacteria and chemicals from septic systems and fertilizers, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses in those who swim directly in the water. Another potential threat is large holes dug in the sand by unsuspecting beachgoers, which can collapse with force and trap people underneath. To help prevent this, be sure to avoid digging holes in the sand and leave shells and other natural objects where they are found. If you have concerns about the water quality, look for a lifeguard-staffed beach and stay away from those areas with posted advisories. Also, consider staying out of the water altogether if it’s stormy or there are beach closures.
Know How to Spot Rip Currents
Rip currents are one of the most common beach hazards and often kill people who are not experienced swimmers. They are also a big reason why it’s important to swim near lifeguards or in areas designated as safe for swimming. Some beaches have flags that indicate different water conditions and safe and dangerous zones. If you aren’t sure which beach to choose, ask the locals where it is safer to swim and look for signs posted at the beach.
To spot a rip current, look for a channel of choppy or darker than normal water on the surface of the ocean. There may also be foam, seaweed or debris moving toward shore in the same direction as the waves are breaking. You can also check the surf zone forecast at your local National Weather Service office to see if there are any warnings for that particular area.
If you’re caught in a rip current, relax and stay calm. Do not attempt to swim against the current, as this will only exhaust you and could cause you to drown. Instead, float or tread water and try to stay as close to the beach as possible. If you can’t get back to the beach, raise your arm to attract attention and yell for help. If you’re on land and see someone in trouble, throw them something that floats or call 911.
It’s also important to learn how to swim in surf; it’s not the same as a pool or lake. Always wear a flotation device if you plan to swim in surf and obey all instructions given by lifeguards. By learning these tips and staying safe in the surf, you can enjoy your vacation without worry.
Know How to Help a Weak Swimmer
A day at the beach is a fun, relaxing experience for most people, but it can turn into a tragedy if the right precautions aren’t taken. There are hidden dangers like rough surf and rip currents that can quickly turn an afternoon swim into a serious accident. It’s important for even the most experienced swimmers to refresh their skills and be aware of the risks that may arise.
To avoid getting caught in a wave, it is important to stay away from breaking waves and instead swim parallel to the shore until free of the current. Rip currents are the leading cause of rescues performed by beach lifeguards, so be sure to keep an eye out for them. If you or someone in your group is caught in a rip current, do not fight it, as this will only make it worse. Instead, swim diagonally toward the shore until you feel the current weaken.
It is also a good idea to carry a whistle with you in case you need to call for help in an emergency. If you or someone in your party is a weak swimmer, it is best to have them wear a life vest at all times.
It’s also a good idea to only swim in areas where there are lifeguards and never leave children unattended near water. They can wander into the water in a matter of seconds, and drowning is more likely to occur at beaches without lifeguards. In addition, always check the beach flags before entering the water to see which ones indicate safe conditions and which to avoid. A red flag means hazardous swimming conditions, while a yellow flag means medium hazards and green means safe for swimming.
Know How to Stay Away from Sea Creatures
If you’re going to be spending any time in the ocean, it’s important to know how to stay safe from marine creatures. Although many encounters with ocean wildlife are exciting and memorable, some can be dangerous or cause painful stings. For example, boxfishes and sea horses possess sharp spines that can puncture or pierce skin. Jellyfish and stingrays have one or more knifelike barbs at the base of their tails that inject powerful venom.
Even if you and your family members are strong swimmers, a day at the beach can quickly turn into a tragedy due to rough surf or hidden dangers like rip currents. It’s important to understand these hidden risks and have your kids take a few swimming lessons beforehand so that they are prepared for an emergency.
Rip currents are powerful currents that pull swimmers out to sea. You can usually spot them by looking for areas of churning water or lines of foam or seaweed that are moving steadily away from the shore. If you’re caught in a rip current, your best bet is to swim parallel to the shore until you break free and then swim diagonally back toward the beach. It’s also important to keep a watchful eye on your children in the water and follow posted beach safety rules and lifeguards’ instructions.
Whether you’re swimming, surfing, boogie boarding or just relaxing on the sand of Costa Rica or Philippines, safety should always come first. Be sure to brush up on your water safety skills, watch a video on how to spot rip currents and refresh the swimming abilities of any weak swimmers in your group. By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a worry-free, fun and happy vacation at the beach!
