Safety

Safety

As stated in our mission statement, we are here to promote beach safety. Below are what we consider the most important safety tips to follow.

Tragic water accidents happen quickly. The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge. California lifeguards recommend the following safety tips:

Learn to swim
Swim near a lifeguard
Never swim alone
Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
Don't rely on floation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water
If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull
Alcohol and swimming don't mix
Protect your head, neck, and spine -- don't dive into unfamiliar waters -- feet first, first time
If you are in trouble, call or wave for help
Follow regulations and lifeguard directions
Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
Scuba dive only if trained and certified -- and within the limits of your training
No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass and bare feet don't mix

In some places swimmers may encounter strong undertows or ocean currents. Rip currents (also called riptides) are so strong that they can carry swimmers away from shore before they know what's happening. If you are caught in a current, swim parallel to the shore (alongside the shore) rather than to the shore until the water stops pulling you, then swim back to shore. If you can't get back to the beach, tread water and wave for a lifeguard's help. Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The person's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals of heat stroke include:

Hot, red, and usually dry skin, but in some cases such as during athletic activity while wearing a helmet, the skin may be moist
Changes in consciousness
Rapid, weak pulse, and
Rapid, shallow breathing.

Updated: 07/07/2008 10:25 PM -0700