Myrtle Beach Ocean and Beach Safety Tips

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.