Posted on 07/30/2005 6:12:25 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Tragic water accidents happen quickly. The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge. Lifeguards recommend the following safety tips:
• Learn to swim
• Swim near a lifeguard
• Never swim alone
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
• Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water
• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull
• Alcohol and swimming don't mix
• Protect your head, neck, and spine — don't dive into unfamiliar waters — feet first, first time
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help
• Follow regulations and lifeguard directions
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
• No glass containers at the beach — broken glass and bare feet don't mix
• No beach fires except in designated areas — fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn bare feet -- use a barbecue that is elevated off the sand
• Never turn your back to the ocean — you may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning
Rip currents
Rip currents are the most threatening natural hazard along the coast. They pull victims away from the beach. The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80 percent of the rescues effected by ocean lifeguards involve saving those caught in rip currents.
A rip current is a seaward moving current that circulates water back to sea after it is pushed ashore by waves. Each wave accumulates water on shore creating seaward pressure. This pressure is released in an area with the least amount of resistance which is usually the deepest point along the ocean floor. Rip currents also exist in areas where the strength of the waves are weakened by objects such as rock jetties, piers, natural reefs, and even large groups of bathers. Rip currents often look like muddy rivers flowing away from shore.
Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called "rip tides" or "undertows." These are misnomers. Rip currents are not directly associated with tides and they do not pull people under.
Try to avoid swimming where rip currents are present, but if you become caught in a one, swim parallel to the shore until the pull stops and then swim back to shore. If you are unable to return to the beach, tread water and wave for lifeguard assistance.
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Rip currents often exist along the side of fixed objects in the water.
Be aware of ocean conditions. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water.
If you see someone drowning
• Call 9-1-1 immediately. The National Spa and Pool Institute advises installing a telephone or using a cordless phone in any pool area.
• If the victim is within throwing distance, throw a floatable object to them. This includes a life jacket, kick board or even an empty gallon jug.
• If the victim is within reaching distance, assist them by extending something long, such as a rope, pole, ring bowie or a tree branch.
• If you must enter the water to assist someone, take a flotation device large enough to carry two adults safety, says Jeff Ellis and Associates. Keep the device between you and the person in distress; even a child can put an adult at risk in deep water.
Jellyfish and other beach hazards
Jellyfish can be more harmful than they appear with long, spindly tentacles that can inflict red welts and severe pain. If you should happen to come into unfriendly contact with one, however, here are some remedies to ease your pain, provided by Beebe Medical Center Emergency Department.
• Wash the area with sea water
• Apply vinegar, or if it is unavailable, rubbing alcohol or baking soda
• Remove tentacles with tweezers
• Apply shaving cream and shave area with a butter knife or tongue blade.
• Reapply vinegar and apply cortisone cream
• A physician should be contacted immediately if any of the following symptoms develop: nausea, vomiting, joint pain, headache, shortness of breath or a stumbling gait. Some people rave about the benefits of pressing a fresh slice of papaya on the sting. Welts are supposed to disappear within minutes.
Coping with stings
Bees, hornets and wasps are among the more common stingers in our area and their stings can cause pain, swelling and redness for up to 2 days. Here are some ways to relieve the discomfort. To avoid stings, walk calmly away from insects and avoid wearing perfume or bright yellow clothes when outdoors.
• Drag the stinger and sting sac out of the wound with a needle. As a last resort, a credit card can be used. Do not use tweezers because they could cause more venom to be squeezed out.
• Wash the wound with soap and water and apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling.
• Take an aspirin or Tylenol if you feel continuing discomfort.
• If you experience dizziness or difficulty breathing, get emergency help immediately.
Basic sun safety tips
• Limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the summer months. Therefore, play golf, tennis, swim, etc., in the early morning or late afternoon.
• Wear a good pair of sun glasses to ward off the sun from your eyes and some kind of protection -- the looser the better -- on your head.
• Clouds and particulate matter in the air scatter sunlight. Therefore, you may receive a "surprise sunburn" even on a cloudy day.
• Some drugs and cosmetics — Tetacycline, diuretics, major tranquilizers -- may increase susceptibility to sunburn because they contain substances that cause the skin to absorb more of the sun's radiation.
These "photosensitivity reactions" may also be caused by birth control pills. Your physician can advise you about medications that can cause problems in the sun.
I think you can sign up of on-line classes.
I love the pearls.
Are they a gift from you?
Pictures at this site. You might be able to identify your nettle. Nettles
That info on jellyfish is helpful. I didn't know that, and I am taking my small grandkids to the beach in Florida sometime this month.
Ahhh!
That was wrong.
good article, i forwarded it to some friends
Good!
Now my work is done for the day.
I'm off to get some work done.
Wow, ouch is right!
I don't know the reason why the one's I encountered were in pieces but I had red spots all over. I don't remember what we put on them, but the items on the list above all sound good. They also work for fire ant bites.
"What's an ammonia pen?"
Is that when you get a guy to pee on your jellyfish sting?
Also, a few miles over from where we were splashing about is where one kid was bitten by a shark this summer, again in waist-deep water.
It doesn't hurt to remind people to be careful.
We have the nettles you speak of here, too (another reason to wear long pants year round). Someone told me they have medicinal value, but I do not recall what it is.
Then there's living in the desert and learning how to drive when caught in a dust strom, or hiking where there will be snakes, and knowing not to get near a cholla cactus!
I agree.
That is Your job my Dear because You are so very good
at it:)
Not today.
I've stalled long enough.
A painting project is calling my name.
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