Top 5 Beach Safety Tips
Having fun on the beach is always up there in the list of things to during the summer by many people. It could be that you are one of these people. You may be the outdoorsy type of person who loves to discover new places and meet new people. You may be a family person who’s planning the next vacation trip for the whole family. It doesn’t matter what floats your boat, if you are going to the beach you have to follow safety measures and know at least the basics of them. We will be a bit serious this time for this article because safety is a matter that requires anyone’s attention. Knowing some or all of the things listed below may save someone’s life one day.
1. Wear sunscreen
Applying sunscreen greatly reduces the damage the sun does to one’s skin and avoids the risk of getting skin cancer. We all know that your skin can be damaged by constant exposure to the sun and most sunscreens block the UV rays that come from a hot summer day. Plus, sunburns are not a fun thing to have so it’s best we keep our skin safe.
2. Know how to escape a rip current
A rip current is a relatively narrow current flowing outward from the beach and may present a danger even to the most experienced swimmer if he or she is taken by it. Rip currents are responsible for many beach deaths per year so it must not be taken lightly. Remain calm when you are caught and don’t swim against the current. Then, swim parallel to the seashore until you get out of the rip current, and then swim towards the shore. If you can’t swim, float along the water until you are out of it, and then draw attention by waving your arms to ask for help if you think you can’t make it to the shore.
3. Know the signs of drowning
A person who is drowning most likely will not be able to ask for help. The body will function to grab air first then speak, so the victim may most likely be gasping for air instead of calling out for help. So, this means they may be drawing their mouth in and out of the water. A drowning person also cannot physically control their arm movements voluntarily and may appear to be struggling in the middle of the water or not moving at all, with the head submerged in water. Take note that persons who can still wave their arms around and yell may not necessarily be drowning and are merely experiencing what is called ‘aquatic distress’ though this is not to say they shouldn’t be assisted.
4. Protect your neck
Never dive into a place not recommended by your life guard, especially in spots where you are unsure of the depth. Never dive with your head first and check for any obstructions such as large rocks and big corals before diving. Always check for potential hazards before getting in the water and follow what the resident lifeguard says. And remember to swim with a buddy, even in secured areas with lifeguards. Never let anyone swim alone.
5. Don’t drink and swim
It’s best for you to not go by the seashore after you’ve drank alcohol. An alcoholic beverage impairs our reflexes and slows down our reaction times. It also impairs our judgment of space in distance which is not a very good thing when trouble happens. Alcohol is also known to skew or sense of judgment and lets us engage in more risky behavior.
Mother Nature can be quite unpredictable at times, and keeping yourself well informed regarding safety in the beach means keeping your responsibilities in check. After all, the last thing all of us would want in a vacation is to have somebody, or perhaps you, be stuck in deep trouble. Do have fun though; you wouldn’t want to spoil your day at the beach by constantly being worried about the threats. The point is for you to know what to do in case the need arises. So, we hope these tips help you as it has helped others in the past when it comes to safety and, most importantly, do enjoy your stay.
