May is Water Safety Month

We are especially happy that May is Water Safety Month.  There are so many essential water safety tips to share and raise awareness on that help everyone to stay safe at the water beach or along the coast. 

Water activities can be an absolute blast, but it's crucial to keep safety in mind.  So let's dive into the important world of water safety.  Think of it this way: just as you wear seat belts in cars, water safety measures are like our protective gear for aquatic fun. They're there to keep you and others safe and sound.

Learn to Swim

First and foremost, learn to swim. Learning to swim is like unlocking a superpower – it gives you the ability to navigate through water confidently. So, if you haven't yet, consider taking swimming lessons. It's a life skill just like learning to read, developing strong communication skills or learning basic cooking.

Be Safe with a Buddy

Once armed with your swimming skills, do not forget about the buddy system. Having a swimming buddy is like having a trusty sidekick – someone who's got your back, and you've got theirs. Things can happen when you least expect it whether you're at the beach, lake, river or a pool, and sticking together is a simple but critical rule. After all, Navy Seals always swim with a buddy even when they have logged 100s of hours of swimming.

Surprises at the Beach

Most everyone loves the beach especially in the hot summer months. Even if you aren't a fan of sand, you can enjoy floating or playing in the waves. Even at beaches along the California coast with its chilly water, it's fun to hang out or explore tidal pools.  But, no matter which beach you go to,  there is always a lurking risk that often is unimaginable on sunny, calm days and they are rogue waves and rip tides.  

Think of rogue waves like surprise guests at a party. They're those really big waves that show up out of nowhere. Most waves are just saying a friendly ""hello,"" but rogue waves are like the ocean doing a big, splashy and forceful surprise. They have the power to sneak up, knock over anyone and pull them back into the ocean.  Always keep your eyes on the water and turning your back to the waves is not a good idea.

Rip tides are powerful too, a bit like invisible rivers in the ocean. You know how you see a river flowing, but you can't always see what's happening under the water? Rip tides are kind of like that, but they are in the ocean.  Getting caught in one can be a scary surprise.  Keeping a cool head and already having a plan in your head beforehand is super smart.

Here are some tips for handling a rip tide:

Stay Calm: This is the most important thing. Panicking will use up energy and make it harder to swim.

Don't Fight the Current: Rip currents are strong and can overpower even strong swimmers. 

Swim Parallel to Shore: This may be a surprise but swimming directly back to shore will tire you out quickly.  Since rip currents are usually narrow, aim to swim slowly but steadily to the left or right of the current until you escape its pull.

Float or Tread Water: If you can't swim parallel, stay calm and try to float on your back or tread water to conserve energy.

Signal for Help: Raise your arms and wave vigorously to attract the attention of a lifeguard or other beachgoers. Yell for help if you can do so without expending too much energy.

Once Free: When you've escaped the rip current, swim diagonally back to shore at an angle away from the current.

Chat with a lifeguard if you ever have a question or feel unsure before heading near or into the water, and they'll advise you.

If there isn't a lifeguard, be hyper alert and consider ways to act if something happens. Remember, the ocean is a wonderful playground, but knowing about these hidden surprises helps us have even more fun while staying safe!