Practice Beach Safety for an Enjoyable Vacation - Mary Beth Murray

Thursday, July 31, 2008

It’s been a tough couple of weeks on the beach. Notwithstanding a few days where an offshore hurricane contributed rough surf, both we and the beach patrols have had a lot of calls for a variety of emergencies. For that reason, it’s worth going over the American Red Cross recommendations for water and beach safety. GENERAL WATER SAFETY •Learn to swim. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. •Always swim with a partner and never swim alone. •Swim only in areas supervised by a lifeguard. •Read and obey all rules and posted signs. •Children or inexperienced swimmers should a USCG-approved personal flotation device around the water. •Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity. •Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities. •Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes and obstructions. The more informed you are, the safer you are. •Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather or severe water conditions. •Enter the water feet-first. Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. •Avoid mixing alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination, affects motor skills and reduces the body's ability to stay warm. •Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies. BEACH SAFETY •Protect your skin from UV rays. UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can also lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. •Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. •Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but worsen the heat's effects on your body. This danger is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body. •Watch for signs of heat stroke, which is life-threatening. In heat stroke, the body’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body’s temperature rises so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signs 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 mental state -Rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. oIf these signs are present, call 9-1-1 and: -Move the person to a cooler place. -Cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around and fanning it. Place ice or cold packs on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and groin and on the neck to cool large blood vessels. -Watch for breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. -Keep the person lying down. •Wear eye protection -Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. -Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight. •Wear foot protection. People often burn their feet on hot sand or cut them on shells, glass, pop-tops or other debris in the sand. The Quiet Resorts have some of the most beautiful beaches and best water access anywhere. Please maximize your enjoyment of them by taking these simple precautions. Mary Beth Murray is a firefighter with the BBVFC, where she has been a member since 1993. She is an expert in fire safety education and was the Company’s 2006 Firefighter of the Year. Mary Beth lives in Bethany Beach with her husband, Steve, and their two daughters and can be reached at [email protected].