May 22, 2017
by Brendan Sullivan, PT, MSPT, OCS

Swimming SafetyRecommended Precautions

Swimming
If you want to go for a swim, whether it’s in the ocean or a swimming pool, make sure a lifeguard is present and that you are not swimming alone. When a lifeguard is on duty, your chances of drowning decreases to one in 18 million. Lifeguards are able to communicate safety conditions to the public by utilizing a colored flag system:

  • Two Red Flags: Extremely dangerous conditions -- do not go in
  • Red Flag: Dangerous conditions
  • Yellow Flag: Caution – moderately dangerous conditions
  • Green Flag: Mild conditions

One of the biggest hazards of swimming in the ocean are the rip currents. Approximately 80 percent of lifeguard rescues and 80 percent of drowning deaths are due to these currents. This narrow jet of water funnels fast and away from the shore and can occur at any surf beach and becomes more intense as the surf size increases.

Your best defense of a rip current is to avoid them, but if you find yourself in one, do not panic. Either swim to the side (parallel to the shore) until you no longer feel yourself being pulled, or tread water until a lifeguard can come to help you. DO NOT attempt to swim against the current -- you will not be able to overpower it.

If you have children with you, supervise them at all times and stay within arms-length of each other. When going into the water, do not dive or enter the water head-first; two-thirds of all catastrophic neck injuries occur at the beach.


Sharks and Jelly Fish
Although popularized in movies, shark attacks are actually quite rare and are only estimated to happen 50-70 times per year worldwide. To help avoid a shark’s attention, avoid wearing shiny jewelry, avoid swimming at dusk and stay in large groups.

A more common occurrence is being stung by a jelly fish. A jelly fish sting is generally more of a nuisance than a life-threatening event. Your best option is to avoid them, but if you get stung, there are a few remedies to help alleviate the pain:

  • Clean the sting with sea water following by vinegar, rubbing alcohol or baking soda (if available)
  • Remove tentacles with tweezers and shave the area with shaving cream and a butter knife. Then apply vinegar and cortisone cream

If you experience nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, or develop a "stumbling" gait, seek medical attention immediately. 

With these tips, we hope you enjoy your upcoming Memorial Day Weekend and all your summer beach trips!

 

Sources:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009: AAP Summer Safety Tip Sheet
  • MedicineNet.com
  • Aquatic Safety Research Group, 2005
  • www.beach-net.com
  • WebMD, 2006: Beach Safety 101

 

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