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Surviving the California Surf with Beach Safety
Each Year People Die Because they Do Not Understand
these Ocean Dangers
Beach Safety - California Department of Parks and Recreation
The goal of this section
is not to scare you but to make you aware of potential dangers that you
can encounter when entering the Pacific Ocean. With an estimated
11 to 14 million people visiting Huntington Beach each year, accidental
deaths by drowning are rare. Some common sense tips will help you avoid
the pitfalls a few unfortunate people have made. Just being in a
group does not assure you won't encounter problems. One drowning we
witnessed happened when an 18-year-old man went too far into the water
and was caught unaware by a rip current at Bolsa Chica State Beach. He
was up to his chest in water when the rip current grabbed him. He went
under and his friends who were only a few feet away could not find him.
After an intensive search and rescue effort of 50 lifeguards and 2
helicopters, his body washed ashore in Surfside hours later.
Another extremely
unfortunate accident that occurs to even veteran surfers is a broken
neck, spinal injury and paralysis. Innocent youth and adults who run and
dive into the water can encounter sand instead water. And surfers on
boards are injured by being dumped with strong force into sandbars while
riding on a wave. Sometimes the accidents just happen and the surfer was
unable to anticipate a condition. But at a minimum, do not run and dive
into the water near the shore. It's best to walk into the surf.
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Surfing safety
includes several recommendations for beginners. It is a good idea to
take a lesson or two when first surfing. Not only will your
instructor teach you the basics of surfing, he or she will also
watch for your safety. Lessons are available daily from places like
Zack's Concessions and by arrangement at surf camps.
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Stay away from the
Huntington Beach Pier pilings when first learning how to surf. Even
veteran surfers occasionally are driven toward the pier. The
barnacles on the pier tear your skin and create serious damage. You
do not want to surf into the pier, ever.
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Do not challenge
surfers or threaten to fight. While most are professional and
polite, if a territorial situation occurs, you simply want to move
away from the surfer and find another spot. The person you encounter
is usually more skilled than yourself on a board and has an
advantage over you.
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Stay out of the
water after it rains. Surfers who go in after rain complain of
flu-like symptoms, nausea and other illnesses. The bacterial levels
after a rain are high and you probably will get sick. Though not
fail-proof, check water quality reports and ask lifeguards and locals if there
are water quality issues in a particular area. Surfers who spend
lots of time in the water get hepatitis shots as preventive
maintenance. There is a reason they do so.
Safety Tips from the Beach Lifeguards:
Never swim alone.
Swim near a lifeguard.
Never drink alcohol before swimming.
Check with the lifeguards for current ocean conditions.
Learn about these currents below:
SLEEPER WAVES: Without warning, huge "sleeper" waves
sometimes hit the shore. These giants crash much
farther up the beach than normal waves. They can knock down both children
and adults, and drag them into deep water. Always
keep an eye on the surf and keep children away from the foam line.
RIP CURRENTS: Rip currents are swift rivers of
backwash surging through the surf. Early breaking waves and choppy
foamy or discolored water mark these danger zones. If caught in a rip current,
do not swim against it. Swim parallel to the
beach until free of the current, then head for shore.
BACKWASH: On steep beaches, even normal waves create
a dangerous backwash of water rushing back into the sea.
BLUFF
CAUTION:
The bluffs and cliffs along the
beaches are often made of
sandstone and are constantly
eroding. This erosion is usually
slow but sometimes can occur in
bluff failures or collapses.
Avoid walking on or sitting
directly underneath unstable
bluffs, overhangs and caves.
STINGRAY:
Stingrays are found in the
shallow water seasonally. They
are not aggressive animals but
are equipped with a bard and
venom gland on their tail that
they use as a defense mechanism.
To avoid stingrays, shuffle your
fee along the sandy bottom while
exiting and entering the water.
If stung, report to the nearest
staffed lifeguard station for
first aid. If allergic reaction
occurs, call 911 immediately.
JELLYFISH:
Jellyfish are free swimming,
colorless, and range in size
from a few inches to three feet
in diameter. They sometimes
appear during the summer months.
Their tentacles cause an
uncomfortable reaction when they
come in contact with human skin.
Although jellyfish do not cause
serious risk, if stung, report
to the nearest staffed lifeguard
station for first aid. If an
allergic reaction occurs, dial
911 immediately.
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