Rules and Tips of the Beach

When at the Beach:

• Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
• 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.
• Know the signs of a rip current, be on the lookout and warn others if you see a rip current.
• Never swim alone. Don't swim out too far.
• Learn how to swim in the surf.  It's not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help. Never pretend to be drowning. The lifeguard may take you seriously
• Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Face the waves, instead of turning your back on them. Then you'll know what's coming.
• Don't ever dive. Go feet first.
• Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
• 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.
• Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
• Avoid swimming at night, dawn or dusk.

If Caught in a Rip Current:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Never fight against the current.
• Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
• Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle--away from the current--towards shore.
• If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.

If you see someone in trouble, don't become a victim too:

• Get help from a lifeguard.
• If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
• Throw the rip current victim something that floats--a life jacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
• Yell instructions on how to escape.
• Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

Why Rip Currents are Dangerous:

Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second. However, speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured--this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! Thus, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Over 100 drownings due to rip currents occur every year in the United States. More than 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents.

Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves.

How to Identify Rip Currents:

Look for any of these clues:

• a channel of churning, choppy water
• an area having a notable difference in water color
• a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
• a break in the incoming wave pattern

None, one, or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of rip currents. Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer. For your safety, be aware of this major surf zone hazard. Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip current clues provided above.

Tips to Preventing Sunburns:

• Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the sun’s rays.
• Apply sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15, paying special attention to the face, nose, ears and shoulders.
• Wear a hat.
• Wear sunglasses with UV (Ultraviolet) Protection.
• Drink plenty of water and non-carbonated drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Some common areas people forget to apply sun screen to are: Tops of feet - (if your walking along the beach this area will burn!). Ears - just like washing, don't forget behind the ears. Backs of the knees - when you're laying on your stomach, this thin-skinned area is particularly vulnerable and can be very painful when burned.
• It is equally important to reapply sunscreen after you have gone in the water or toweled off.
• Whenever possible, wear a shirt or some kind of clothing to minimize your sun exposure.
• Umbrellas or other sunshades are great devices for staying out of direct sunlight, and will also help keep you cool.

Dangers of UV Exposure:

• You can sunburn even on a cloudy day!
• Each time a child is sunburned it increases their chance of getting skin cancer as an adult.
• Concrete, sand, water, and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the sun's UV rays.
• Every 5 minutes another woman is diagnosed with skin cancer.
• Skin cancer is increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer.
• Depletion of Earth's ozone continues to increase your exposure to UV rays!
• On average, children spend 3 times more time in the sun than adults!
• More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US!

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are often present in coastal waters, having been brought ashore by winds or ocean currents. They are most common in warm ocean waters, especially along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Stings result from contact with the tentacles, which trail from the jellyfish's see-through body. Jellyfish swimming in the water are often hard to see. Beached jellyfish (right), can sting if touched.

Fortunately, most jellyfish stings are not severe. Jellyfish stings cause immediate, intense pain and burning that can last for several hours. Raised, red welts develop along the site of the sting, often in a whiplike fashion, and may last for 1 to 2 weeks. Itchy skin rashes may appear 1 to 4 weeks after the sting. Extensive stings, allergic reactions, or severe toxic reactions are not common but do occur.

Jellyfish Stings Treatment:

• Protect rescuers from contact with the jellyfish or jellyfish tentacles. All rescuers should consider protective clothing and gloves in order to protect themselves so they can better rescue and treat the victim.
• Remove the victim from the water.
• Rinse the affected area with salt water or don’t rinse it at all. Do not rinse the involved area of skin with fresh water, because it will further activate nematocysts and worsen the reaction.
• Using protective gloves or forceps, remove any tentacles still in contact with the victim.
• Apply acetic acid 5% (white vinegar). This will inactivate undischarged nematocysts and the toxin and will help to decrease symptoms.
• Use over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to control pain symptoms. Immobilize the area that was poisoned to prevent further spread. For example, if a foot was stung, encourage the victim to keep the area still with as little movement as possible.

Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com