Do You Know the Rules of the O-C-E-A-N?

The ocean is the heart of the beach. Without it, the beach would be without the stress-relieving sound of waves crashing, standing sandcastles and a way to quickly cool off from the summer heat. While responsible for what many of us love about the beach, the ocean can be unforgiving if you approach it without caution.

“The ocean is unpredictable with many potential hazards – like rip currents, sharp shells, jellyfish and other creatures – that can quickly turn a trip to the beach into a trip to the emergency room,” says pediatric emergency medicine physician Teresa Romano, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. “However, practicing ocean safety can help prevent drowning and other water-related emergencies.”

Following the rules of the o-c-e-a-n can help keep you safe.

Taking 10 to 15 minutes to observe the ocean before going for a swim could save your life. Watch the flow of the waves and the undertow conditions. Keep your eye out for the signs of a rip current. This includes waves that aren’t breaking, foam on the beach and seaweed or discolored water being pulled from the shore.

Responsible for most rescues performed by lifeguards, a rip current is powerful fast-moving water that can form in any large open water area, such as low spots and breaks in sandbars, or near structures such as jetties and piers – which is why it’s important to always swim at least 100 feet away from these structures.

If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t panic. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then turn and swim back to shore. Alternatively, you can also float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then swim to shore. If you can’t make it to shore, draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.

If someone else is caught in a rip current, don’t try to save them yourself unless you are a trained beach lifeguard. Instead, get help from a lifeguard, or call 911 if a lifeguard is unavailable. You can also throw them something that floats – such as a life jacket, cooler or inflatable ball – and yell instructions on how to escape the current.

Locate the lifeguards and swim in the designated swim areas.

“While swimmers must take some responsibility for their own safety, lifeguards are trained to recognize hazardous conditions, advise swimmers how to stay safe, respond to emergencies, and provide medical care for those in need. Listening to them can help you avoid a trip to the emergency room,” Dr. Romano says.

Every beach has rules and regulations, and although inconvenient at times, they are meant to keep you safe. For your safety, it’s important to find and follow posted signs. This will provide you insights about the hazards specific to that beach and local regulations.

Also, look for flags flown by lifeguards to advise of hazards and temporary restrictions in effect. You can check with a lifeguard about the warning flag and the beach conditions if you are unsure. Generally, the following is true:

• Double red flag: Water closed, no public swimming
• Red flag: High hazard of surf and/or currents
• Yellow flag: Medium hazard or moderate surf and/or currents
• Purple flag: Dangerous marine life such as jellyfish, stingrays or dangerous fish
• Green flag: Low hazard, calm conditions
• Black and white checkered flag: Set up along the beach, usually as a pair, to indicate separate sections to help keep swimmers and surfers safely apart in the water

Regardless of your age or swimming skills, you should never swim in the ocean alone. Swim with a buddy so that if one swimmer has a problem, the other can provide immediate assistance while signaling for assistance to others on the beach, including lifeguards.

If you’re caught out in the water and can’t get back to shore safely, or your swimming buddy is struggling to swim, make yourself visible and loud. Wave your arms above water and call out for help. Float or tread water on your back if needed to conserve your energy.

Water may be shallower than it appears so never dive into unfamiliar water. Instead, always enter water feet first. Use caution when riding waves, always extending arms ahead of the body.

“Life-altering injuries from spinal damage occur every year on our nation’s beaches because of people diving headfirst into the ocean and striking the bottom,” Dr. Romano says. “Surfing, bodyboarding and bodysurfing can also lead to spinal injuries if precautions are not taken to avoid striking the bottom headfirst.”

You can still find yourself making a trip to the emergency room without ever stepping foot in the water. “Sunburn, dehydration, heat stroke, and cuts or bruises from debris hidden in the sand are common beach-related circumstances we see in the emergency department,” Dr. Romano says.

For those enjoying the ocean from the sand, Dr. Romano recommends you:

• Reapply sunscreen frequently, allowing it to penetrate the skin by waiting 15-20 minutes before going back into the water.
• Wear a wide brim hat and sunglasses.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
• Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing.
• Carefully check the sand for debris, shells and hiding animals before laying out your beach blanket.
• Keep your eyes out for any large sand holes and try to stay away from them or fill them in.