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What can be better than a day at the beach? Sun. Sand. Sea. How about safety?
Indeed, the beach is a fun place, whether you are looking to play water sports or lie down on the sand while reading a book. But it can also be a dangerous place, especially if you are not careful.
Common accidents at the beach
Accidents can and do happen at the beach. Among the top accidents that occur at the beach are drowning, water sports accidents, and cuts from sharp objects in the sand.
These accidents happen due to a variety of reasons, from negligence to sheer bad luck.
Preventing accidents
Whether you are headed to the beach for a quick dip or a few days, it is critical to be mindful of your and your loved ones’ safety. Here are a few helpful tips that will help you keep accidents at bay and allow you to maximize your enjoyment of the beach.
Check the weather report
If you can’t postpone your beach trip, the next best thing that you can do is to check the weather report, whether online or offline. This can help you plan your activities accordingly.
Remember, you should avoid going into the water if there is a good chance that there will be lightning. You can go to the beach only after 30 minutes after the last time you hear thunder. Otherwise, you can wait for tomorrow when the weather has cleared up.
Read the warning signs
Many beaches have warning signs prominently placed in different areas. Check this out before heading out to the water.
The symbols and meanings of these signs may change from one beach to another. Typically, you will see symbols regarding the surf and currents, closure of the beach, and the presence of dangerous marine animals.
Practice caution and follow the warnings given by authorities and other people in charge.
Invest in swimming lessons
You do not necessarily have to have dreams of becoming a competitive swimmer or triathlete to learn swimming.
Taking swimming lessons can make a marked difference, especially in the lives of small children. Learning how to swim can substantially reduce a young kid’s chances of drowning.
Take note that swimming in the beach is vastly different from swimming in a pool. You may have to contend with the waves and strong currents. As such, if there is anyone in your group, young or old, who does not know how to swim, he or she must wear a lifejacket.
Even if you have some experience in swimming, be aware that the ocean floor slopes, sometimes unexpectedly. Whether you are swimming or walking, proceed with caution so that you won’t be surprised if the water level suddenly becomes deeper than you expected.
Finally, it is a good idea to buddy up with a person who knows how to swim.
Pick your spots carefully
Most cases of drowning and near-drowning occur in areas which have no lifeguards. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach to help you keep you safe and prevent unwanted accidents.
Whether you are planning to swim or play sports, it is always a good idea to stay in an area where you are visible to the lifeguard.
Be mindful of strong waves and currents
Before heading out to waters, check the wave conditions with the lifeguard.
Playing in the waves may be fun, but strong waves can cause injuries like sprains, shoulder dislocation, broken collarbones, and even neck and spinal injuries. Usually, these injuries are caused by waves that break on the shore instead of breaking on the water before hitting the beach.
These waves may also cause rip currents, especially near shallow areas in the water. Even good swimmers can be pulled away from the shore by rip currents.
Should you get carried away by a rip current, do not struggle. Instead, remain calm and allow yourself to be carried for a short while, under no circumstance should you fight it by swimming against it. Instead, swim diagonally toward the shore until you get out of the current. Once out of the current, you can proceed to swim horizontally. If you are struggling, call for help.
Learn how to identify a person who is drowning
It doesn’t take much for a person to drown. As little as two inches of water can cause a person to drown.
In the movies, people who are drowning are often portrayed flailing their hands and making loud noises. But the truth is, people who are drowning do not act that way. Instead, they can be seen either with their face submerged in the water or tilted with mouth agape. The eyes may be closed while their legs may be positioned vertically to the sea.
Don’t spend too much time under the sun
It’s easy to lose track of time at the beach, especially when you are having fun. However, spending hours under the sun, especially during the afternoon can lead to a variety of problems, from dehydration to heat exhaustion.
As such, it is highly advisable to avoid heading out to the beach when the sun is at its hottest. It would also be helpful to find some shade to rest yourself when the sun’s heat becomes unbearable.
Watch out for signs of overexposure to the sun. These include headaches, dizziness, confusion, redness, and blistering on the skin, nausea, paleness, and rapid heartbeats.
If you notice these on yourself or a loved one, move to a shaded area, remove clothing, and drink fluids. Taking a cold shower also helps. But for severe symptoms like confusion, swelling, and painful skin, go to the doctor immediately.
Watch out for marine animals
And not just sharks or jellyfish. The shells of clams and barnacles can cause wounds. Crabs, on the other hand, can pinch your skin.
Stay hydrated
Finally, make sure that you stay hydrated at all times. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help prevent the harsh effects of too much exposure to the sun. Avoid drinking coffee and other beverages that can dehydrate you.
Following these tips need not put a damper on your fun at the beach. You can still have fun while keeping yourself safe.
AUTHOR BIO
Soraya Abdul Azis is the Marketing Manager for Saadiyat Beach Club in the UAE, the very first beach club on Saadiyat where guests can enjoy and celebrate a world of fine living, health and well-being. Soraya has worked in Design, Advertising and PR in Dubai and Beirut for the past 4 years.
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