Novice beach goers may be confronted with a few scary realities upon stepping foot on the sand. In the last few years there has been everything from shark attacks to kids drowning in the news.
Whether you are surfing in California or catching rays in Florida there are certain dangers you might encounter.
Sunburns & Skin Cancer
This might seem like the least of your worries compared to shark attacks, but considering the common and deadly nature of skin cancer, it should top your list of ocean side concerns. Before hitting the beach you should always apply a high SPF sun block and reapply every two hours. If you do get a burn apply aloe vera on the burn to soothe the skin.
Do not deliberately get a tan. 90% of skin cancer is from sun exposure, and skin cancer counts for over half of all cancer combined. Skin cancer is overlooked these days because it's often treatable; however it will become a problem when our generation gets older, because people are out tanning without protection and frying their skin away in tanning booths.
Not only is skin cancer a side effect of not using protection from the sun, but aging is another big consequence. The faster and more intense the aging process will be.
Current & Waves
When you go out to the beach you should always observe your surroundings. Before going into the water check out the waves. If they look too strong for you, don't go in. Some waves are capable of knocking you over.
One indicator of the beach situation is by checking out the warning flags. Usually the flags are at every public opening to the beach and/or at the lifeguard stand.
You should never go in the water if there is a double red flag. Use should be on high caution if there is a single red flag up. You should also use caution if there is a yellow flag. The green flag usually means that all is clear.
Shark Attacks
Your chances of getting hit by lightning are significantly greater than getting bit by a shark, but the Jaws films have frightened the wits out of most people. Here are some tips for being safer in the water to relieve your anxiety about sharks.
-Do not get in the water if you are bleeding or are on your period. Blood does attract sharks.
-Avoid wearing jewelry and bright or shiny swimsuits. Sharks' can see contrast, and a bright yellow swimsuit sticks out in the water.
-Avoid going into the water at night, sun up and sun down for those are when sharks are feeding and most active.
-Stay in groups, because sharks are more likely to attack an individual. Also do not stray far out, because you are getting closer to the home of the sharks and further away from help.
Let's stress again that shark attacks are very rare compared to the amount of people in the water, but we can never be safe enough when it comes to our lives.
Other Sea Creatures
There are other sea creatures besides sharks that can bother beach goers. If there is a purple flag up on the warning pole with another flag, then it means that there is dangerous marine life present. This usually refers to jellyfish and stingrays.
Jellyfish are hard to get away from in the waves, and if their tentacles touch you, it will sting like no tomorrow. I have gotten stung 8 times, and being the smart person I am one of them was from stepping on a dead jellyfish. Yes, dead jellyfish tentacles still have the chemicals that cause the stinging.
If you do get stung, there are a few things you should know in order to treat it. Never rinse the sting with fresh water; it stimulates the chemicals to continue stinging the skin. Instead rinse it with salt water. Pouring white vinegar on the sting will remove the chemicals from the sting.
To prevent getting stung by a stingray, if the water is murky or you can't see your feet you should shuffle instead of stepping. If you bump the stingray it will just swim away, but if you step on it the tail will whip up and cut and inject you with its venom. If you get stung, you should immediately run the affected area under freshwater. Most stingray injuries need to be seen by the doctor since the venom is in your system.
If you do see a purple warning flag up, you should try, if possible to stay clear of the water. It is especially important to stay out of the water if it is murky or the waves and currents are rough and the purple warning flag is up.
I hope that when you go to the beach you will remember a few of these safety tips to take with you.
Whether you are surfing in California or catching rays in Florida there are certain dangers you might encounter.
Sunburns & Skin Cancer
This might seem like the least of your worries compared to shark attacks, but considering the common and deadly nature of skin cancer, it should top your list of ocean side concerns. Before hitting the beach you should always apply a high SPF sun block and reapply every two hours. If you do get a burn apply aloe vera on the burn to soothe the skin.
Do not deliberately get a tan. 90% of skin cancer is from sun exposure, and skin cancer counts for over half of all cancer combined. Skin cancer is overlooked these days because it's often treatable; however it will become a problem when our generation gets older, because people are out tanning without protection and frying their skin away in tanning booths.
Not only is skin cancer a side effect of not using protection from the sun, but aging is another big consequence. The faster and more intense the aging process will be.
Current & Waves
When you go out to the beach you should always observe your surroundings. Before going into the water check out the waves. If they look too strong for you, don't go in. Some waves are capable of knocking you over.
One indicator of the beach situation is by checking out the warning flags. Usually the flags are at every public opening to the beach and/or at the lifeguard stand.
You should never go in the water if there is a double red flag. Use should be on high caution if there is a single red flag up. You should also use caution if there is a yellow flag. The green flag usually means that all is clear.
Shark Attacks
Your chances of getting hit by lightning are significantly greater than getting bit by a shark, but the Jaws films have frightened the wits out of most people. Here are some tips for being safer in the water to relieve your anxiety about sharks.
-Do not get in the water if you are bleeding or are on your period. Blood does attract sharks.
-Avoid wearing jewelry and bright or shiny swimsuits. Sharks' can see contrast, and a bright yellow swimsuit sticks out in the water.
-Avoid going into the water at night, sun up and sun down for those are when sharks are feeding and most active.
-Stay in groups, because sharks are more likely to attack an individual. Also do not stray far out, because you are getting closer to the home of the sharks and further away from help.
Let's stress again that shark attacks are very rare compared to the amount of people in the water, but we can never be safe enough when it comes to our lives.
Other Sea Creatures
There are other sea creatures besides sharks that can bother beach goers. If there is a purple flag up on the warning pole with another flag, then it means that there is dangerous marine life present. This usually refers to jellyfish and stingrays.
Jellyfish are hard to get away from in the waves, and if their tentacles touch you, it will sting like no tomorrow. I have gotten stung 8 times, and being the smart person I am one of them was from stepping on a dead jellyfish. Yes, dead jellyfish tentacles still have the chemicals that cause the stinging.
If you do get stung, there are a few things you should know in order to treat it. Never rinse the sting with fresh water; it stimulates the chemicals to continue stinging the skin. Instead rinse it with salt water. Pouring white vinegar on the sting will remove the chemicals from the sting.
To prevent getting stung by a stingray, if the water is murky or you can't see your feet you should shuffle instead of stepping. If you bump the stingray it will just swim away, but if you step on it the tail will whip up and cut and inject you with its venom. If you get stung, you should immediately run the affected area under freshwater. Most stingray injuries need to be seen by the doctor since the venom is in your system. If you do see a purple warning flag up, you should try, if possible to stay clear of the water. It is especially important to stay out of the water if it is murky or the waves and currents are rough and the purple warning flag is up.
I hope that when you go to the beach you will remember a few of these safety tips to take with you.
ker78
canada). We dont really have any sea creatures to worry about and
the water is usually pretty calm. I miss the beach :o(