Ocean City, MD

Beach Safety Tips

Beach Safety Tips

There’s nothing better than a day at the beach. The sun, sand, and surf… what could be more fun? To ensure a safe day at the beach, keep these tips in mind anytime your family hits the beach.

Swimming Safety Tips:

• Know how to swim! Never swim alone, swim in groups and avoid secluded beaches.
• Always swim where a lifeguard can see you and in areas that are marked for swimmers to use.
• Ask a Lifeguard about Beach and Surf Conditions before swimming.
• Don’t swim out too far.
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help. Never pretend to be drowning. The lifeguard may take you seriously.
• Don’t swim close to piers or near fishing areas.
• Face the waves, instead of turning your back on them.
• Know the signs of a rip current, be on the lookout and warn others if you see a rip current.
• Look for, read and obey All Beach Safety Signs.
• Don’t ever dive. Go feet first.
• Avoid swimming at night, dawn or dusk.

Remember to:

• Ask lifeguard about ocean conditions.
• Never swim alone!
• Don’t swim out too far.
• Educate yourself on rip currents.
• Swim in front of a lifeguard.

Beach Safety Tips Video from American Red Cross:

Dr. Peter Wernicki of the American Red Cross Science Advisory Council gives water safety tips for beach goers and swimmers.

Rip Currents:

In some places swimmers may encounter strong undertows and rip currents. Rip currents are so strong that they can carry swimmers away from shore before they know what’s happening. Rip currents can move to to sea at 5mph, that doesn’t seem alarming, but that is faster than most olympic swimmers. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore (alongside the shore) rather than back toward the beach 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 help.

If caught in a rip current:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Never fight against the current.
• Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
• If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.

Rip Currents Video: