Ten Signs that Your Children Aren't Safe at the Beach

Recently we witnessed the tragic case of an overwhelmed teacher who lost a child to drowning off the waters of Long Beach, Long Island. Particularly for urban children, ocean beaches may be both a lure and a danger. How can you spot signs that it may be best for all to stay on shore making sand castles?

No lifeguards. Riptide danger can start in water as shallow as knee-deep, so don't let children wade into ocean water if no lifeguards are handy. They may start in shallow water, but end up in the Atlantic.

No buddy. Children should be encouraged to stay together so that no one can get in trouble unnoticed. If you are bringing plenty of children, bring adult chaparone's too.

Obstructions in the water. Dangerous currents, jetties and sandbars all go together. Where there are foreign objects that alter the normal flow of water, undertows and riptides are found. Water bouncing off a jetty or escaping through a suddenly collapsed sandbar cause some of the most dangerous riptides. The only escape? Resisting the temptation to fight. Children and adults must remember that these nasty currents are narrow. Swim to the side and out. Then swim back to shore. Never swim directly to shore. Avoid jetties entirely and use extra care when sandbars are present.

Unprepared swimmers. Swimmers must plan for survival. The smallest child may outperform an adult in the water if he is taught to avoid panic and take steps to insure that his nose and mouth remain above water at all times. Children should master floating on their backs and while standing with head tilted back to elevate the nose and mouth ("drown-proofing") before being exposed to ocean beaches with dangerous currents. These two skills will allow them to save their strength while maximizing their ability to breathe. Children caught in strong currents should not wave their hands above their heads to attract attention as this will exhaust them and push their heads under the water. Hands should be spread out to the side in the water while floating on the back or treading water to increase buoyancy.

Water that is lighter in color than the surrounding current. The churning waters of a riptide are often marked by white foam or yellowed by the sand that they stir. Ironically, people may gravitate toward danger because the current sucks them in, so the presence of many people may not mean safety.

Shores that angle sharply toward the water or "bowls" formed between a sharply-angled shore and a sandbar several feet out. When high seas crash against the shore, they may bounce back to sea with great speed. Sometimes the current pushes down as well as out and is especially dangerous.

Water filled with surfers or boogie boarders. When the only people in the water are sitting on boards, it is not time for amateurs to go in. Boarders can swim in rough water because they are riding above it, not being body-slammed into shore.

Large waves with white caps. Teach children to immediately dive to the bottom to allow strong waves to pass safely over. A large wave may propel the unwary towards shore and a broken back or neck.

Strong breezes blowing offshore. Now is not the time to play ball or swim with flotation devices. A strong wind can quickly carry a lost ball out of range of even the most determined swimmer or carry child, air mattress and all out to sea.

No one else in the water or unusually colored flags at the beach. Those beautiful purple flags at Florida beaches mean venomous jellyfish are in the water. While sharks make the news, Portuguese Man O' Wars quietly take a toll. If you see an odd looking flag or notice empty water, ask questions before entering. It may also be a good idea to stay out of the water when large numbers of seagulls are attacking small bait fish in the water. When minnows school in large numbers, predators such as bluefish also abound. One may take a nip out of your child.

If you pay attention to these ten warning signs, your family will have more fun at the beach while staying safe.

Sources:
http://www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm
http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2008-06/jellyfish-invasion
http://www.weather.com/activities/recreation/boatandbeach/ripcurrents_overview.html