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Stay in marked safe zones -

Lifeguards will often mark the safe zones to swim with flags on the beach, and it’s also where they’ll be monitoring in case anything happens. Red and yellow flags typically indicate that there’s a lifeguard on duty and you should swim between those flags.

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Learn how to identify a rip tide -

A rip tide is a type of current where tidal water moves quickly and forcefully under the surface, usually in the direction opposite to the beach. Especially if you are somewhere where there are no lifeguards or flag (though you shouldn’t be), knowing how to identify rip tides is important.

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Learn how to identify a rip tide -

Some key identifiers are if waves aren’t breaking, if there’s foam on the beach, and if you see seaweed or discolored water being pulled from the shore. Being caught in one might feel like you are in a flowing river.

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Don’t fight the current -

If you get caught in a rip current, it’s easy to panic and try to paddle out of it, but the safest thing to do is to just stay calm. Definitely don’t fight it by trying to swim to shore, because you’ll tire yourself out and get nowhere.

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Don’t fight the current -

Instead, if you’re caught in a rip current, the best thing to do is actually swim parallel to the shore until the current weakens, and then you can swim to shore.

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Call for help when you need it -

If you’re having difficulty in the water and starting to panic, don’t wait before waving your arms above the water and calling out for help. Being a little embarrassed after recovering is a much better alternative to waiting until it’s too late.

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If you can’t make yourself visible and loud -

When you need help but you can’t manage to wave your arms or yell, the next best thing is to float or tread water on your back so that you don’t tire yourself out.

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Get a lifeguard when you see someone who needs help -

Instinct might tell you to run into the water to help someone being pulled under or away from the shore, but entering yourself might put both your lives at risk. Try to throw the person a flotation device or rope to pull them back to shore (and that's only if a lifeguard isn't around).

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Don’t swim alone -

Always try to swim with a family member or friend either with you in the water or visible at the shoreline so that if anything happens, you have someone close by to help.

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Know your limit, swim within it -

Only you can be the judge of your own swimming skills, and the beach is not the place to overestimate yourself. If you cannot swim well enough, don’t go out too far.

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Don’t dive in -

It can be tempting to jump into the water on a hot day, but you need to check for depth and obstructions first by wading or walking into unknown waters. You never know where unseen rocks are hiding.

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Leave the big inflatables at home -

Inflatables can be lethal during a strong offshore wind as strong winds and currents can rapidly sweep them and people out to sea. There have also been cases of people panicking, abandoning the inflatable, and jumping into cold water so suddenly that it can be difficult to swim.

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Look out for drop-offs -

Especially if your kids are going out into the water, it’s important to check where the water changes depth. Sometimes it can be closer to shore than you think.

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Learn beach warning flags -

They differ depending on where you are, but usually red flags mean there’s a high hazard of rip currents and you shouldn’t enter the water, yellow flags indicate medium hazard, purple indicate dangerous marine life (like jellyfish), green flags are low hazards, and black and white checkered flags usually separate surf and swim sections to keep everyone safely apart.

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Know your waves -

Plunging waves, also called dumping waves, usually occur at low tide where sandbanks are shallow, and they break suddenly and can knock you over and throw you to the bottom with great force, often resulting in spinal and head injuries. Never try to bodysurf on one of them!

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Know your waves -

Spilling waves, on the other hand, have white water tumbling down the face of the wave and are usually less forceful and safest for body surfing. They are found in sheltered bays where the sea floor slopes gradually, as well as near sandbanks at high tide.

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Know your waves -

Surging waves occur in rocky areas around cliff faces and where the beach drops off quickly, and they may never actually break as they approach the water’s edge because the water below them is very deep. These waves can knock swimmers over and drag them back into deep water.

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Don’t swim in bad weather -

The beach can be beautiful under a gray sky, but if there is lightning or thunder apparent—even if it seems far off from the coast—you should stay out of the water since lightning often strikes water, and water conducts electricity.

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Don’t turn your back on the ocean -

While you might not want the waves to spray in your face, you should always know what’s coming so that you’re not taken off-guard and put your safety at risk.

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Don't treat the lifeguards as babysitters -

You shouldn’t rely on a lifeguard who is tasked with watching many people across a wide beach to keep an eye on your child.

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Get the kids informed -

Make sure kids know how far they’re allowed to go, that they must ask before going in the water, and that they have to use the buddy system. They also should know they can’t play the same games in the ocean as they might in a pool.

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Jellyfish stings -

If a jellyfish stings you or someone you know, get out of the water immediately. You can treat the sting immediately with vinegar, a hot water soak, or a saltwater rinse, and get calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream from the pharmacy. Do not use fresh water, ice, or urine!

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Wear sunscreen -

This is so basic, but so many people still don’t do it. There’s nothing worse than looking like a lobster and having your clothes rub painfully against your skin after a lovely beach day, not to mention the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.

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Bring many forms of shade -

The beach is amazing for its wide-open skies, but it leaves you vulnerable to the sun and its heat. Try to bring an umbrella, hat, and cover up so that you’ll be protected and can enjoy your day, especially if you’re out between 11 am and 3 pm.

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Stay hydrated -

Drink lots of water so that you don’t experience heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which is when the body can no longer control its temperature—a task water helps achieve. You can experience headache, dizziness and confusion, nausea, excessive sweating, weakness, and even loss of consciousness.

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Stay away from alcohol -

Not only does alcohol dehydrate you, but it also impairs your judgement, results in a lack of coordination and reaction time, and harms your ability to control your body temperature. According to the CDC, among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation in the US.

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Take your own first-aid kit -

If there are no lifeguards on duty, there might be first-aid kits at their posts, but you shouldn’t rely on it. Bringing your own could save you from unexpected stings or scrapes.

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Use life jackets on boats -

If you’re getting on a boat even in the shallow area of a beach, life jackets can save you from any unexpected circumstances.

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Stay alert -

Though it’s tempting to snooze in the sun with the sound of the waves crashing, the beach is still a powerful element of mother nature, and its conditions can change rapidly and without warning.

Sources: (Healthline) (Health Direct) (CDC)

See also: How to survive heat waves

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