Throw Caution to the Oceans’ Motions

May 21 begins National Beach Safety Week. With summer just around the corner and thousands heading out to their favorite summer beach destination, it is the ideal time to discuss appropriate beach safety measures with family members and friends.

Florida’s summer playgrounds, located along 825 miles of sandy beaches, offer something for everyone. Whether fishing, swimming, boating, surfing or sunbathing, knowing the appropriate actions to take when unforeseen events occur can help to ensure a safe and positive outcome.

Many Florida beaches display beach warning flags or signs to alert beachgoers of surf conditions. Through a grant from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the Department offers the flag system adopted by the International Life Saving Federation to any coastal communities – free of charge. The five flag set includes a double red flag – waters closed to the public; single red flag – high hazard; yellow flag – medium hazard; green flag – low hazard; and a purple flag to indicate that dangerous marine life, such as jellyfish, is in the area. Using these tools to determine when it is safe to go in the water can help to minimize or eliminate water related accidents and injuries.

Lifeguards are a common site at many Florida beaches. Still, no matter how many precautions are taken, ocean currents are a natural phenomenon and can change suddenly. Rip currents are one of these phenomenons and account for 80 percent of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.

Knowing what to do in the event of a rip current, before entering the water, can help a person return safely back to shore.

Rip current facts:

• Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
• Rip currents are sometimes indicated by churning, choppy water; a difference in water color; a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving seaward; or a break in the incoming wave pattern.
• Rip currents pull people away from shore and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
• If caught in a rip current, stay calm and escape the current by swimming parallel to the shoreline.
• To assist someone caught in a rip current, immediately get help from a lifeguard, throw something that floats to the person, or call 9-1-1.

More than 100 miles of beaches are located within one of Florida’s 43 coastal state parks which offer additional recreational and educational activities. By taking appropriate safety measures, this summer can mean another ‘fun-in-the-sun’ memory at Florida’s world-class beaches.

For more information on rip currents, visit http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.

To learn more about the beach warning flags and signage provided by the Department, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/cmp/programs/safety.htm.