The months of summer are highly anticipated by all: we keep the jacket, we take out the sandals and the swimsuit and, when we do not work, we enjoy outdoor activities, being the beach the favorite place of many.
However, the beach also represents dangers for you and yours, and you need to take precautions to avoid a day of fun ending in tragedy. In this post we explain how.
In the sea, life will always be in danger
Taking a dip in the sea is a refreshing and pleasant sensation, but it is not free of risks if we act recklessly.
Knowing how to swim in a pool or a lake, for example, does not necessarily mean that we can swim in the sea, which is why it is advisable to take swimming lessons before entering the waves.
Most beaches in the United States have professional lifeguards, at least during the hours when there are more people on the beaches, that is, between 10am and 6pm. If you go to a beach that does not have lifeguards, or they are out of turn, it is preferable not to enter the sea.
In some beaches, due to the existence of additional dangers, such as fast currents, corals, rocks or springs, the authorities delimit the areas in which the public is allowed to swim. Obeying these mandates, as well as lifeguard instructions, could save your life.
Take special care with fast water currents. These currents cause deaths every year in the United States and constitute the majority of cases of emergency rescues reported by lifeguards. If you get caught in one of these currents, stay calm and do not try to swim against it. Rather, swim parallel to the coast until you manage to escape the current. Once free, swim towards the shore. If you can not make it to the shore, raise an arm and seek attention from the lifeguard or other bathers.
Under no circumstances enter the sea under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. If you have just eaten, it is advisable to wait at least 30 minutes before swimming, in order to avoid cramps, nausea or dizziness. Also try to always swim in the company of someone, since doing so will only make it more difficult to ask for help in the event of a problem while you swim.
In the case of young children, even more so if they still can not swim, it is advisable to equip them with floats or life jackets if they are near the shore, even if they do not enter the water. The tides can suddenly rise and take with them what they find in their path.
When diving into the ocean, first check that the water is deep enough, and that the area is clear of obstacles that could hurt you. Even after taking this precaution, it is advisable to enter first with your feet instead of entering head first.
Pay attention to aquatic life and avoid contact. Both plants and marine animals could be dangerous. Many fish, molluscs and jellyfish have defense mechanisms that are activated when animals feel threatened, and that could do a lot of damage to humans, with even fatal outcomes.
If you detect that someone is having trouble staying afloat or getting out of the water, be sure to notify the lifeguard on duty. If there is no lifeguard available, call 911 immediately. While the aid arrives, deliver a floating object to the person, be it a life jacket, a cooler, a surfboard or a beach ball.
The sun is not always life
In the short term, the sun’s rays not only make us feel and look better, but they are an important source of vitamin D for our body. Unfortunately, in the long term, the sun’s rays can cause a lot of damage. Sun exposure without protection accelerates the aging of the skin, causing spots and wrinkles at younger ages, while multiplying the chances of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer
Exposure to the sun can cause uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which in turn results in tumors that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.
How do we prevent cancer to the skin?
The Skin Cancer Association recommends the following:
- Try to stay in the shade, especially between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon
- Avoid sunburn
- Avoid artificially tanning on UV beds
- Cover yourself with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection
- Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or more every day
- Keep babies protected from the sun. After completing 6 months, apply sunscreen
- Examine your skin, from head to toe, at least once a month
- Get noticed by a doctor at least once a year
- We are with you
If you or one of your own is injured or harmed by the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to financial compensation.