Some summertime safety tips as sunny days start
Although recent downpours and flood advisories would suggest otherwise, summer weather is nearly upon us. And, in preparation for sweltering temperatures and beating sunshine, there are a number of precautions vacationers should take into consideration before hitting the beaches.
As many beach-goers know, swimming on lifeguarded beaches is among the chief safety precautions one can take in the summertime, but, even then, it’s important to educate yourself. According to studies done over a 10-year period by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), the chance of drowning at an unguarded beach is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards.
Understanding the water is a big part of it, too. Rip currents account for the majority of beach drownings that do occur. As waves recede over underwater sandbars, they sometimes cut a narrow path through the sand, resulting in a quick flow of water back out into the ocean. This is just one way a rip current can form, posing a great deal of potential threat.
If caught in a rip current, it is imperative that you swim parallel to the shore, in effort to move away from the fast-flowing water. Swimming against the current, toward the shore will only exhaust the victim, resulting in fatigue and potential drowning.
Piers, pilings and jetties also pose a threat to swimmers, and they are urged to stay well clear of any stationary obstructions in the ocean. Such structures are also a perfect environment for rip currents. Swimmers should also be aware of whether they are swimming too far away from the shore or feel too cold in the water.
Rough tides can make for an unpleasant day at the beach. Be sure to avoid powerful surges of waves, or unrelenting choppiness if you feel you cannot withstand the water.
“The majority of the beach-related incidents we see are surf injuries [not to be confused with ‘surfing’ injuries],” said Millville Fire Company EMT Jim Cina, “anything from diving in the waves and getting knocked down to bumping your head on the sand when you’re swimming.”
Again, a knowledge of the area and the water conditions can help lead to an enjoyable, injury-free trip to the beach.
“For the most part,” Cina added, “you can’t truly prevent these injuries. You really just have to know where you are, and know what the water’s doing.”
Lifeguards are constantly on patrol throughout the day during the season, keeping everyone in the vicinity safe.
“We deal with a variety of situations,” said Fenwick Island Patrol Captain Tim Ferry. “You have to look at beach injuries from two perspectives: a water aspect, and a beach aspect. Swimming on a lifeguarded beach is the safest thing to do. Don’t overestimate your abilities. There are other factors — currents, shore breaks, drop-offs — that can cause injury, and we need to be aware of all of them.
“The risks in the water are our first and foremost (concerns),” he said. “On the beach, there’s debris that you need to be conscious of. Each lifeguard has their own area to respond to, and we’re prepared first-aid wise. Our guards go through 30 to 35 hours of first-aid training.
“It’s all-inclusive for us,” Ferry added. “There’s not just one area we have to worry about, but different things, every year. Skates, rays, allergic reactions, even certain medications that can cause heat exhaustion. There’s a wide variety of situations. The patrols in the area beaches do a great job preparing their guards for every possible situation.”
Beneath the water’s surface are other things beachgoers need to be responsive to. Jellyfish can be washed to the shores with a slight shifting of currents or weather, and certain species’ tentacles can deliver a painful sting that should be treated immediately.
According to the Beebe Medical Center Emergency Department, a sting victim should wash the infected area with sea water, and apply vinegar. Rubbing alcohol or baking soda will also alleviate pain. Swelling or persisting pain should send the victim to seek a physician’s care.
Dehydration is a common matter when out in the sun. Be sure you drink plenty of fluids — ideally, water. Drinks with alcohol and caffeine can dry the body. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to grab some water, either, as by that time, you are already suffering the first stages of dehydration.
As most of us know, sunburn and the summertime blues go hand-in-hand. The sun gives off two primary forms of ultra violet (UV) rays: UVA, which increases the risk of skin cancer and skin aging, and UVB, which causes sunburn and can also lead to skin cancer.
When vacationing at the beach, one should limit the amount of direct sunlight they receive between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and be sure to use sun block or sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Keep in mind, the longer you are in the sun, the more likely you will have to reapply, too (Every two hours is the minimum recommendation). Sunburns can cause permanent damage to the skin if not prevented or treated properly and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Overexposure to the sun can take a step beyond the burn and travel into the realm of sun poisoning or heat stroke. Sun poisoning occurs when the skin comes in contact with an overabundance of direct sunlight, which results in an irritated reaction, in the form of a very painful and sensitive rash, weathered skin or blisters. Symptoms can include fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or chills.
In the event of a heatstroke, the body’s temperature regulatory system, which produces sweat in effort to cool the body down, shuts off. The body temperature can rise so quickly that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
Symptoms of a heat stroke can mimic those of a heart attack, and include headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.
A heat stroke victim should be cooled as quickly as possible, by relocating them to a shady space, applying cool water to the skin and fanning the victim. Be sure the victim is hydrated as much as possible. Seek immediate medical assistance if you believe someone is suffering from sun poisoning or a heat stroke.
Your skin isn’t the only thing that is affected by the sunlight. Both UVA and UVB rays are harmful to our eyes. Sunglasses that absorb at least 90 percent of the sun’s UV rays will help best protect your eyes.
If you are going for a walk or a run on the beach, be conscious of the contour of the sand. Hard, wet sand may not give enough, resulting in shin splints or similar leg injuries, but loose, dry sand may shift under a person’s weight, consequently leading to an ankle sprain. Likewise, sandals or shoes should be considered as a safety measure against hot sand, shells, reeds or glass that may be resting on the beach.
“We work with Millville as close as we can,” said Ferry of the ambulance company. “We see injuries from the waves; dislocated shoulders, knees, neck and head injuries. We’re their first line of defense, and we respond to them as best as we can. We provide them with the transport to the emergency vehicle if need be. We see quite a bit.
“Every day is different,” said Ferry. “We preach that to the guys and the girls. Even when it appears to be slow day with low surf and calm water, you can still see some of the worst things. You just have to expect the unexpected.”
Beebe Medical Center is located in Lewes, at 424 Savannah Road. For more general advice and safety tips at the beach, contact your physician or call Beebe Medical Center at (302) 645-3300.
For Beebe’s Emergency Department, call (302) 645-3289, or dial 911.
Beebe’s Millville Emergency Center, located on Route 26 beside Food Lion, is open 24 hours a day in the summertime, and, for patients 6 or older, on weekends prior to Memorial Day. It can be reached at (302) 539-8450.