Swimming Safely at the Beach

Being water competent in the ocean requires stronger and different skills than in a pool. Whenever you are at the beach, ocean or other open water environment, watch and prepare for:   

• Changing tides.
• Fast-moving currents and waves, even in shallow water.
• Drop-offs that unexpectedly change water depth.
• Unexpected changes in air or water temperature.
• Hazards, such as underwater obstacles, rocks and debris.
• Vegetation, marine animals and fish.
• Other people’s activities in the same waters, such as boating.
• Thunder & Lightning.    
  • Leave the water immediately, if swimming off shore.
  • If you’re out in a boat, head back to shore as quickly as possible.
  • If you’re unable to get to shore, lie down in the bottom of the boat or shelter in the cabin if available.

• Enter the water feet first for your safety!
  • Always enter unknown or shallow water cautiously.
  • Only dive in water clearly marked as safe for diving, at least 9 feet deep with no underwater obstacles. Never dive head first into surf!
• Do not enter the water from a height, such as a bridge or boat.
• Be careful when standing to prevent being knocked over by currents or waves.
• Swim sober.
• Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.
• Swim with a buddy even in lifeguarded areas.

• Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
• Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
• Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.

• Check conditions before entering the water: are any warning flags up? Ask a lifeguard about water conditions, beach conditions, and potential hazards.
• While in the water, stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.

• If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight it.
• Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to shore.
  • Alternately, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head to shore.
• If you can’t make it to shore, draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.

• If someone is in trouble in the water, get help from a lifeguard.
• If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
• Throw the victim something that floats – such as a lifejacket, cooler or inflatable ball – and yell instructions on how to escape the current. Do not attempt a rescue yourself unless you are a trained beach lifeguard.