Thursday, July 10, 2014

Beach Safety Reminders


BEACH SAFETY REMINDER:    

 The Sea Isle City Beach Patrol wants everyone to have an enjoyable time on the sand - but they care more about everyone's safety. Here are several important reminders from SICBP Captain Renny Steele and his team of lifeguards...

--LIFEGUARDS: Always pay attention when a lifeguard whistle is blown, and swim directly in front of the lifeguard stand. Guards are aware of ocean hazards such as rip currents, inshore holes, and lateral currents. This awareness enables guards to keep bathers away from these hazards and safe.

--STAY OFF JETTIES: Do not play around or climb on rock jetties or groins. Fish hooks and broken glass often collect around groins and jetties.

--SUN PROTECTION: Periodically apply sun block whenever on the beach.

--SEAGULLS: Do not feed the seagulls; occasionally they bite.

--LIGHTNING: Follow the 30 / 30 rule during an electric storm. Leave the beach and seek safe shelter when less than 30 seconds occurs between the sighting of lighting and the hearing of thunder (flash to bang count). Do not return to the beach until 30 minutes has passed after your last flash to bang count. If you are caught in an electrical storm and cannot find safe shelter, avoid being the highest object in the surrounding area.

--DIGGING IN THE SAND: Never dig parallel to the sand's surface (a tunnel). Eventually the tunnel will collapse and suffocate anyone inside the tunnel. The sides of a hole dug in sand can also collapse. Dig holes only to a waist deep depth. If more than one person is in the hole, the depth should be waist deep of the shortest person in the hole.

--CHILD SAFETY: When you arrive at the beach, walk small children to the lifeguard stand and instruct them to go to the stand whenever they are lost. Special needs children should be introduced to the lifeguards.

--UMBRELLAS & WIND: Make sure beach umbrellas are anchored securely in the sand. Do not use an umbrella when high winds could possibly carry the umbrella down the beach and injure beach goers.

--WALK IN THE SAND: Protect feet with foot wear when the sand is extremely hot; especially young children whose feet are tender and not callused. Small children's feet can actually be burnt to the point of blistering.

--HYDRATE:  Remain properly hydrated whenever on the beach. This safety tip is of heightened importance if you consumed alcohol or coffee within the last twelve hours.