The heat may be cooling down, but as long as you’re following
social distancing guidelines, there’s still time to hit the beach. Just remember: you can have fun and still be safe at the same time! Before you head out, here are seven beach safety tips that can save your life.
Beach Safety Tips
Tip #1: The Water is More Dangerous Than It Looks
Everyone loves taking a dip, but the water can be tricky to navigate. Even when it seems calm, powerful riptides can be roaring underneath the surface. It’s important for swimmers and surfers to keep their safety in mind. Before heading into the surf, make absolutely sure you know what to do if fierce currents threaten to sweep you away.
Beach Safety Tips for Rough Waters:
- If you’re caught in a rip current, stay calm. Panicking will only increase the danger. Above all, try to keep a cool head.
- Next, never attempt to swim against the rip current. Instead, try to swim in a direction that is parallel to the shore. Slowly but steadily, you should eventually be able to break free.
Tip #2: Lifeguards Save Lives
Never swim without a
trained lifeguard on duty. When it comes to beach safety tips, this one is among the most important. A lifeguard’s job is to keep a close watch on the swimmers. And if there’s more than one lifeguard, that’s even better! The more the merrier when it comes to safety precautions! If a dangerous situation happens, these stalwart guardians will be able to save lives as a team. Just be sure that everyone in your party is listening to their instructions.
Tip #3: Pay Attention to Posted Safety Signs
After making sure that a lifeguard is actively supervising those who are in the water, don’t just assume you are covered. Do your own due diligence. Before heading into the water, you should pay attention to any posted safety warnings. These signs can tip off beachgoers to potential dangers, including weather precautions and tide conditions.
Tip #4: Watch Out for Wildlife
Now that you’re in the water, always remember that you may not be alone. We’ve written about
shark attacks before, but those are pretty rare. While you should still be careful, don’t forget a far more likely marine wildlife concern: jellyfish! Believe it or not, the sting of a
jellyfish can actually be quite dangerous. One of the most important beach safety tips is that everyone should take extra precaution to be respectful of the ocean life and, for your own safety as well, stay out of their way!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu_ijC8HFRU
Tip #5: Choose the Right Life Jacket
If you’re planning to use a floatation device, make sure you’re packing the right gear. Pool toys and floaties may be fun, but they are definitely not proper floatation devices. In a dangerous situation, they can easily pop or deflate, leaving you exposed to the dangers of drowning.
Instead, we recommend using a
U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. These will ensure that you’re prepared for the water. Learn more about
life jackets at this dedicated blog post.
Tip #6: Don’t Swim Alone
This beach safety tip is true for adults as well as children. At a crowded beach, even during times of social distancing, a person can easily be separated from friends and family. With rip tides and other dangers, it’s possible to be swept away before anyone realizes. For this reason, you should never go swimming alone. You and a buddy can help keep an eye on each other to prevent possible tragedies.
Tip #7 Watch Out for Swimmer’s Ear
Okay, this last one is a lot less dangerous than the others. That said, it can still be downright irritating. Swimmer’s ear is usually caused by dirty water that is trapped in your ear canals. It often occurs when a person has been swimming in contaminated water. The infection grows when water gets trapped and then it breeds bacteria. Be careful to dry off completely when leaving the water. For more detailed advice, read our
dedicated swimmer’s ear blog post.