Summer Safety at the Shore

Every summer, many individuals, families and group trips involve taking a trip to see the sun and sand at the beach. Little do many people know, but the beach has many dangers that can turn an exciting vacation into a terrifying one. Here are some of these dangers and ways to avoid succumbing to them.

Rip Currents

Rip currents are the most common danger in the ocean. They are strong currents of water flowing away from the shoreline that can ultimately pull swimmers out into the vast ocean. If caught in one, the best way to avoid being sucked out to sea is to swim parallel to the shore at a slight angle to land. Even if that takes you far from your original spot on the beach, your life will depend on it. Also remember to always attend beaches that have lifeguards as they are trained to help in these cases.

Shorebreak

Shorebreaks occur when waves break right on the shoreline, hence the name shorebreak. They occur when there is a rapid change from deep to shallow water. No matter how large or small, shorebreaks can cause injuries, particularly to the top of the spine and extremities. Avoid diving headfirst into the water as that’s a common way of getting a spinal cord injury. To be on the safe side, ask lifeguards about the wave conditions to assess if it is safe to swim.

Lightning

When thunderstorms are in the area, the safest place to be is inside sturdy buildings, but a hard topped vehicle will work as well in a pinch. This will help avoid being in an open area where lightning is frequently striking. After the last thunder sounds, wait about 30 minutes before returning to the beach.

Sand Holes

Many times you see people at the beach digging large and deep holes in the sand. This is extremely dangerous as they can collapse as well as affect the ecosystem to wildlife. A few key tips to remember is to avoid digging deeper than your knees when standing in the hole and always fill it before leaving. If you see other holes, be courteous and fill them as well. Sea turtles often use the beach to lay eggs and sand holes ultimately affect their safety, especially when these eggs hatch and they’re trying to reach the water.

Heat and Sunburn

With summer comes hot temperatures. Remember to stay hydrated, apply sunscreen that has at least SPF 15 and take breaks in the shade to stay cool. Signs that the heat is heavily affecting you include sunburn, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps. If your sunburn is severe, such has blistering or accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek urgent medical care.

Harmful Algal Blooms

While algae is a normal part of the ecosystem, some algae types are incredibly harmful. Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs, are toxic blooms that often appear red in the water. They can occur in fresh water, salt water or in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water. People eating contaminated shellfish can get sick from HABs as well as swimming directly in these blooms. Death can also occur if enough of the toxins are ingested. Luckily, these blooms can be forecasted for, allowing public health officials to have time to limit shellfish harvesting or close beaches for a period of time.

Water Quality

Similarly with public officials closing beaches because of harmful algal blooms, they can close beaches if the water quality is too poor. Water flowing from land to coastal waters can carry untreated sewage from a plethora of sources. These sources include boats, pets, poor septic systems, fertilizers and hazardous waste dumping. This contaminated water can cause high levels of bacteria and other chemicals that can further lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, primarily by swimming in the contaminated water. Track beach closures and other public spaces to prevent these illnesses.

Marine Debris

Trash and junk also infiltrate our waters, and large amounts enter waterways each day. This pollution can wash ashore, littering beaches and affecting the ecosystem. People going to the beach may accidentally step on this trash and wildlife may ingest it. If you see trash, whether on land or in the water, be sure to pick it up and dispose of it properly to avoid further harmful effects.

Sharks

One thing to remember is that shark attacks are rare but can still occur particularly near shore or between sandbars. A common misconception is that sharks actively hunt humans. This is not true; they typically attack humans when confused or curious. Humans may appear like a seal, especially when laying on paddleboards or surf boards, which could warrant curiosity from a shark. To avoid this risk, stay close to shore, swim in groups, avoid swimming at night when sharks are most active, avoid wearing shiny objects or brightly colored swimwear, and don’t swim if you are actively bleeding from a wound.

Jellyfish

Another animal that can harm people at the beach are jellyfish. Not all jellyfish have toxins and venom that harm humans, but they all sting. Only about 3.5% of jellyfish species can harm humans, sometimes leading to death. Watch where you walk on the beach to avoid accidentally stepping on a jellyfish that has washed ashore. If the tentacles are still wet, they can still sting. Even if tentacles are torn off a jellyfish, they too can still sting. Seek attention from a lifeguard immediately if you are stung, they usually have the first aid to care for these cases. Never rinse with water as that can release further poison. If an allergic reaction occurs, seek immediate medical attention.

Being aware of these dangers at the beach will ensure your vacation will go off without a hitch. Stay safe at the shore and enjoy the sun this summer!

Source: NOAA
Image by Richard Norris from Pixabay