It’s heating up and we’re all ready to break for the beach. But before you blow up the beach ball, pack up the car and slap on the sunscreen, the Orange County personal injury attorneys; Panish, Shea & Boyle have put together a little check list to ensure your family’s safety when conquering all island elements this summer.

Know What Weather Conditions To Expect
  • Make sure you check the weather report before heading to the beach. Waiting 72 hours before getting into the water after there has been a heavy rainstorm is strongly advised. You want to avoid getting sick or being infected by polluted rainwater!
Who’s On Watch?
  • Lifeguards are there for a reason — they are beach experts, they can see things coming from a mile away. Have a good look for where they’re stationed on the beach and stay near them when swimming — majority of drowning’s occur at unguarded sites.
Watch The Water
  • Conditions constantly change– daily and seasonal changes have got to be monitored closely. Waves are way more powerful than you think. They have the potential to cause serious neck and spinal injuries, ranging from simple sprains, broken collarbones, and dislocated shoulders to more serious injuries including blunt organ trauma and spinal injuries which can lead to paralysis.

Rip currents can pull even the strongest swimmers out to sea. If you see a current of choppy, off-colored water extending from the shore, steer clear. If you do get pulled out, stay calm, save your energy let the current carry you for a while, and keep breathing. Don’t try to swim against the current! Raise your arms and signal for the help of a passer by or lifeguard that can tend to your rescue.

 Refrain From Drinking Alcohol
  • Alcohol doesn’t only affect judgment; it also dehydrates you, increasing the likely hood of sunstroke. In the US, among drowning-related injures of people aged 15 years or older, almost 22 percent were alcohol-related. We know how tempting it can be to enjoy a couple of cocktails whilst frolicking on the beach, but if you’re going to consume a booze filled beverage steer clear of the surf.
 Lather Up
  • Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chance for developing melanoma later in life. Racking up more than five sunburns at any age also doubles The risk for melanoma. Keep the red at bay by slathering on a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 of higher, and make sure you have a source of shade — hats, umbrellas, tents, rash vests especially during the sun’s peak hours of 10am to 4pm. Remember — eyes can get sunburned, too so don’t forget some shades.
 Residents Of The Sea
  • Thankfully, shark attacks aren’t that common (the U.S. averages just 19 shark attacks each year, and only one every two years is fatal). Most ocean life by the shore shouldn’t cause too much worry, but it’s always good to be aware of whats out there. Barnacles and the shells of mussels and clams can be very sharp, so watch carefully when walking on rocks and move slowly while walking out into the water. Little crabs like to pinch, so proceed carefully over small rocks with nooks and crannies.

Jellyfish and stingrays are other common sea creatures to look out for. Many varieties of floating jellyfish have tentacles that can discharge venom-filled stingers into your skin, causing a sting resulting in a painful, red, irritated mark or cut. This injury can most often be treated at home after careful instruction. Stingray injury’s however, tend to be a little more sever. The tail of a stingray can cause a jagged cut or puncture wound and can be difficult to tend to and remove because of the back-facing barbs. This kind of injury almost always requires medical attention especially when managing pain.

Fuel up
  • Extended exposure to heat and the relaxing effects of waves can often lead to disorientation and reduced energy. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks down to the sand with you.

 

And last but not least…

Use The Buddy System

Always swim with a buddy; don’t allow anyone to go out and swim alone. Even if it’s lifeguarded, use the buddy system, be safe, stick together and have a blast at the beach!