Beach Safety

Beach Safety

Determined2Heal Tips:

Last year over 13 million Americans took a beach vacation. People around the world eagerly anticipate their beach vacation. Building sand castles, collecting shells, and riding the waves are a part of most everyone’s childhood memories. For some of us, though, the beach can become the most dangerous place imaginable. Shore break, riptides, and unpredictable wave patterns can challenge even the most experienced swimmers.

Many beach accidents are preventable through proper education. It is crucial that both children and adults understand the dangers and challenges that an ocean vacation can bring.

We have learned a lot about beach safety from Project Wipeout. Project Wipeout was developed in the summer of 1979 after a devastating string of neck and spinal cord injuries were treated at the Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California. The project wipeout web site provides great videos, brochures, and coloring books to teach beachgoers how to prevent all types of beach injuries. Their comprehensive web site is loaded with great advice that will keep you safe.

The conditions at each beach change every second. The ocean has a mind of its own and does not communicate in a clear spoken language. Mother nature has both a beautiful side and an ugly side. Beachgoers tend to be blinded by the beautiful side. But the ugly side's wrath communicates through its ability to change life in an instant.

Certain conditions such as shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach. Shore breaks are unpredictable and dangerous. They have caused many serious neck and spinal injuries to both experienced and inexperienced bodysurfers and swimmers. Remember, small waves can be dangerous too.

Shore break is most dangerous on beaches that have experienced replenishment projects. Moving sand around and building up the beaches naturally through erosion make the waves break closer to the shore and at steeper inclines.

Here is some “common sense” beach advice from the United States Life Saving Association.

Look at the safety signs - they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach.
Ask a surf lifesaver for some good advice - surf conditions can change quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.
Get a friend to swim with you - so you can look out for each other's safety and get help if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult.
Stick your hand up for help - if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip - don't try and swim against it.
And remember – never:
- Never swim at an unpatrolled beaches
- Never ever swim at night
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol
- Never run and dive into the water
Restrict your swimming and boogie boarding to favorable conditions only.
Swim only on patrolled areas and always check the depth of water before diving. If unsure of the depth always enter the water feet first. If in doubt check with the duty lifesaver or lifeguard as to conditions at your local beach.

Lifesaving Techniques:

In the event of a suspected spinal injury the correct first aid treatment is to:
- Firstly remove the patient’s face from the water, and try to stabilize the neck.
- Assess the patients breathing, as this must take priority.
- Unless wave or water conditions dictate otherwise, if the patient is breathing, the rescue can then proceed unhurried with every effort made to minimize movement of the spine.
- Seek trained rescue support and medical aid as soon as possible, any neck soreness or pain should be treated as a potential spinal injury until properly assessed.

Beach Safety Tips

Beach Replenishment

Shorebreak

Rip Currents

Beach Safety Advocacy

Project Wipeout

United States Lifesaving Association

Book Josh

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