Safety Tip # 3
Beach Safety Tips

• Learn to swim. The best way to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim - this includes adults and children.
• Never swim alone. Always swim near an open lifeguard station.
• Check the surf conditions before you enter the water. Check to see if a warning flag is up or check with a lifeguard for water conditions, beach conditions, or any other potential hazard.
• Stay within a designated swimming area, ideally within visibility of a lifeguard.
• Steer clear from piers, pilings, and rocks, when in the water. Inexperienced swimmers should stay in waist deep water.
• When bodyboarding, use swim fins and a leash.
• Rely on your swimming ability rather than flotation devices.
• Do not swim during thunderstorms or strong winds.
• Do not dive into unknown water or into shallow breaking waves.
• Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and avoid sunbathing for long periods of time.
• Keep a lookout for aquatic life. Water plants and animals can be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants; and leave animals alone.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you don't fell thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they dehydrate the body making the heats effect on your body worse.
• Stay out of the "surf zone" where waves break. Waves are their most forceful here, and even a small wave can lift you up and throw you into the sand.
• Beware of rip currents. If you get caught in one, don't panic. Just swim parallel to the shore until you're clear of the current, then swim into shore. Never try to swim against the current.
• Report unsafe conditions to a lifeguard.
• Never throw sand and always fill in holes before you leave the beach.
• Obey all warning signs and flags. When a red flag is flying, swimming is prohibited. A yellow flag indicates dangerous conditions.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Never fake actions or calls for help.
• When in trouble, signal a lifeguard by shouting "HELP" or waving your hands.
• If you, or someone in your group gets lost, always find the nearest lifeguard.
• Wear eye protection. Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
• Wear foot protection. This prevents you from getting your feet burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.
• Watch for signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is life threatening, and therefore must be monitored carefully. Symptoms include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid shallow breathing.
• Respect other beach patrons and remember your beach manners.
• Follow the advice of the lifeguards. They are trained in beach and water safety. Respect their experience and judgment and never interfere with their work.