Friday,April 29, 2011
Check out our Myrtle Beach ocean and beach safety tips. Spring is here, the temperature is climbing and the ocean waters are warming up. Combine all these things and you have all the makings for a perfect day at the beach. There are however some precautions you should take to ensure that you and your family have a safe beach vacation. We would like to share some ocean safety tips to our Myrtle Beach vacationers.
Check ocean conditions before your go in the water and never swim alone.
Swimming in the ocean is much more challenging than swimming in a pool or lake.
If you don’t have a lot of experience swimming in the ocean:
- Don’t venture beyond waist-deep water.
- Stay away from swimming near piers
- Always swim in front of a lifeguard
Respect rip currents.
The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80% of the rescues made by ocean lifeguards involve saving people caught in rip currents.
This is one of those critical beach safety tips, because rip currents are invisible to all but the most expert observers. Under an apparently calm surface they are circulating water back to sea after it’s been pushed ashore as waves.
If you get caught in one:
- Don’t panic.
- Even though it seems counter-intuitive, swim parallel to the shore. Never try to swim against the current.
- Swim until you’re clear of the current, then swim to shore.
Use proper sun protection.
Try to limit your time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Apply and remember to reapply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. One of the most common beach safety tips, it’s also one of the easiest to forget especially when you’re caught up in creating a sandcastle masterpiece or tide pooling and the ocean breeze is keeping you cool. Trust us; you’re going to be hating life if you get a nasty sunburn during your stay. Just do yourself a favor and use the sunscreen.
Drink plenty of water.
Bring a cooler to the beach and make it a point to drink even you’re not thirsty. Remember that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate your body, which makes the effects of the heat worse.
Supervise children at all times.
This goes without saying but we’re saying it anyway. It only takes a second for them to wander away. Keep your eye on them closely and a closer eye on them when they’re in the water even when a lifeguard is on duty.
Friday,July 24, 2009
Always check with on-duty lifeguards about the ocean conditions before going into the water. Never get into the ocean when lifeguards are not on duty. Always swim where a lifeguard can see you. Lifeguards are on duty from 9am – 5pm daily during the season. That’s plenty of time to get your beach fun in!
Please be aware that ocean conditions may change quickly along the coastline. When in doubt don’t go out! Here is a list of a few things that can occur in ocean when swimming or playing in the ocean.
Rip Currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves or where a there is a stream or outflow into the surfline. The majority of ocean rescues made by lifeguards are due to victims struggling in rip currents.
Sleeper Wave is a wave that is larger than the average wave height that has been observed. These can be unpredictable waves, which may occur even on days when most of the surf looks small. These large waves have been the cause of too many drownings over the years and can catch those close to the shoreline by surprise, washing them into turbulent water. Most victims are playing near or in the surf or shore fishing.
In an emergency — call 9-1-1
If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1. Always remain calm. Have someone spot the person in trouble or keep your eyes on the person. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape by having the victim swim out of the rip current, in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, direct them to swim towards shore.
Only professionally trained rescuers should attempt in-water rescues!
- Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
- Never swim alone – take a buddy with you.
- Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
- Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
- Stay Sober – don’t swim while intoxicated. Alcohol can affect your judgement and your body temperature – impairing your ability to swim.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
- Due to dangerous currents, never swim in the inlets.
- Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
- Children should swim only with adult supervision.
- Don’t swim during rough seas. Broken necks and paralysis have resulted from swimmers being thrown into the ocean bottom headfirst.
- Do not swim near surfers – surfboard fins can cut you.
