News Taffy

I was sad to see a local man died recently trying to save a woman in rough waters off the coast of Florida. His death points out all too clearly the dangers of the ocean. Our family has gone to the beach near Destin, Fl. every summer for nineteen years and we love it dearly.

I have the utmost respect for the ocean and the creatures that live in it and I never ceased to be amazed at the people who don’t. Now that vacation season is in full swing, here are some tips you should follow to make sure your beach vacation doesn’t end in tragedy.

When you get to the beach, stop and observe your surroundings. Look for large fish in the water, such as a shark or dolphins. Learn the beach warning flags and respect red and double red flags. How does the water look and what is the weather forecast and tide chart for the day? Are there any eroded areas of beach? If one section of beach is washing out to sea, that could indicate a rip tide. So could a section of water that is choppy or foamy or looks somehow different than the rest of the area. Make sure everyone knows how to swim but keep a close eye on young children regardless and don’t rely on floaties. No matter how good a swimmer you are, it is not a good idea to swim alone nor too far from shore into deep water. Swimming in the ocean is more tiring than swimming in a pool and you could get into trouble quickly.

Some shores are not safe for swimming or wading due to large surf and uneven, rocky shores with sudden drop offs such as many of the beaches along the California coastline. Check with park officials before entering the water.

While you are at the beach, remain alert for sea creatures that can appear suddenly. Be alert to the fish and turtles around you; erratic swimming or leaping out of the water may indicate that a feeding predator such as a shark is nearby. Don’t swim near docks where people fish and please don’t fish near swimmers as sharks may be attracted to struggling fish and blood in the water. Stay out of the water at dawn and at night as sharks are more active. Keep in mind that sharks can swim in very shallow water and people have been bitten while wading in knee deep water. Leave the jewelry at home; flashy shiny objects can attract sharks and barracudas.

Watch for the purple flag that indicates dangerous marine life is present. A jellyfish sting can be quite painful and severe itching can last for days. Don’t touch jellyfish that have washed upon the beach as they can still sting. Watch out for stingrays as they like to burrow in the sand and are easily stepped on. You should never try to touch or handle them as they can inflict a potentially life threatening sting with the barb on their tail. Keep in mind that the barb has been removed from stingrays at aquariums. There are many other types of harmful marine life so know what kinds of marine life you may encounter at your beach destination.