UV solar radiation exposure, thefts of valuables on the beach and the dangers of ocean swimming must be handled by vacationers to stay safe and happy while on a beach vacation.
In the U.S., the Memorial Day holiday begins this weekend. It’s the traditional start of the summer vacation season, and for many Americans, it means a trip to the beach.
Last week, I discussed the problem of sunscreens in the U.S. and how our laws have generally prevented the availability of high quality sunscreens that protect Americans from UVA (Ultraviolet A) solar radiation that causes skin cancer.
Beach vacationers must protect themselves from UVA and UVB solar radiation the best they can, even if it means wearing cover-ups.
Despite that problem, get the best sunscreen you can find to prevent exposure to both UVA and UVB solar radiation and follow the directions for its use carefully, reapplying regularly. As an alternative or in addition, cover up your body to the extent possible, particularly if you have a family history of skin cancer and/or have been significantly exposed to cumulative UVA radiation earlier in your life. I was exposed to lots of sun without protection as a kid, so when I go to the beach, I cover up from head to toe while I walk around photographing birds, beach volleyballers and surfers.
When I go into the ocean, I may not be a fashionista, but I am protected. I wear a shirt and a cap with my swim suit.
Children are more susceptible to UVA and UVB solar radiation than adults, so therefore they need more protection.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure you protect them from UV solar radiation too. Don’t forget that childrens’ skin is more sensitive to all UV solar radiation than an adult’s skin. Insist that they follow the solar protection rules you set for them, even if they protest.
Theft of personal belongings on the beach is a serious problem that beach goers must plan for.
At the beach, personal belongings theft is a serious problem. If you’re like most beach goers, you want to bring a cellphone, identification, some cash and a credit card for emergencies and food, some clothes, a towel and maybe something to read, etc. If you’re spending the day at the beach, you might have much more gear.
The best theft preventative is, if you don’t absolutely need it or can’t afford to lose it, don’t bring it to the beach. Either leave it at home or in your hotel room safe.
I’ve had friends suggest using hollowed out books or crumpled disposable diapers to hold valuables on the beach to prevent their theft. They say, “Who’s going to look in a book for your car keys or cellphone and no one will look in a used diaper!” Beach thieves will look. They know all the tricks people employ. Some people use “beach safes” attached to their beach chair, or put their valuables at the bottom of a cooler in multiple ziplock bags, but thieves have been known to just walk away with it all and see what they grabbed later.
Waterproof wallets can help you prevent the theft of your valuables while you’re at the beach on the sand or in the water.
On vacation, when I go to the beach to swim, I leave my cellphone in my hotel room’s safe along with my wallet. If I need to make a call, I wear a cellular edition Apple Watch that’s water resistant to 300 feet. I strap a waterproof wallet to my waist to hold a credit card, an ID, keys and some cash. I also bring my wife or a friend with me and we look out for each other’s belongings. If we lose our towels and extra clothes to thieves, so be it — at least our valuables are secure.
Here are ten swimming precautions to take for ocean swimming at the beach.
If you’re going to the beach to enjoy the water, here are some critical precautions that I highly recommend.
• Swim in a lifeguarded area:
No matter how good a swimmer you are, swimming in the ocean, even close to the beach, isn’t like swimming in a pool. There are unknowns lurking in the water. Lifeguards have saved many good swimmers’ lives at the beach.
• Always follow the lifeguard’s instructions:
Lifeguards have been trained beyond knowing how to save swimmers in trouble. They also learn about local swimming issues at the beach/ocean that they’re guarding. They’re aware of hidden dangers about which you’re likely unaware. Follow their directions.
• Know what the beach flags mean:
The flags are an immediate guide to potential problems at the beach and may also indicate designated safe swimming zones that you’ll need to stay within.
• When near the ocean, always face the water:
Whenever you’re near the water, you need to know when the waves are coming in and if they’ll affect you.
• If you’re going in the ocean at the beach, choose carefully:
Know what the sea bottom is like at the beach before you choose to go there. Know if it’s sandy, muddy or rocky, and if rocky, what size and types of rocks are on the bottom.
• Pay attention to weather and water conditions:
While the water may be safe when you start for the beach, upcoming weather may make ocean conditions at the beach hazardous later on. In addition, tides and currents, particularly rip currents, may make what appears to be ideal ocean conditions extremely dangerous.
• If you aren’t a competent swimmer, never go in water deeper than your waist:
Your best insurance against drowning is learning to be a competent swimmer. When I was young, I saw a young man who didn’t know how to swim go out neck deep in the ocean at Atlantic City. The under current sucked him down. The people near him had no idea what to do. Fortunately, the lifeguard was able to find him under the water and save him.
• Never swim alone, regardless of how good a swimmer you are:
True story — when I was a teenager, a friend who was an Olympic class swimmer with a real chance to represent the U.S., didn’t follow the rule. He went into the water alone. He never returned to the shore. His body was never found. At the least, a swim buddy can alert lifeguards that you’re in trouble.
• Always remain sober:
Alcohol and swimming don’t mix well. Anything can happen in the water. Each of us has to be in full control of ourselves in the ocean.
When at the beach with children, extra precautions are essential.
• When caring for children at the beach:
We never really know what children might do at the beach, both on the sand and in the water, so we must be alert at all times. I have five rules of thumb specifically for adults caring for children at the beach.
1. Stay awake and alert, keeping the children in sight at all times.
2. Don’t allow any distractions that take your attention away from the children.
3. Don’t take any cellphone calls. Let them go to voice mail.
4. Give your children carefully chosen and stated limits and hold them to the limits.
5. Never let your children go into the water without you.
When you go to the beach, following these commonsense guidelines can help you stay safe and enjoy yourself more because you’ll know you’re well prepared to return home after your beach vacation happy and healthy. Have a great beach vacation.
READ ALSO:
Where you can buy things confiscated by TSA and lost by passengers
Will new airline consumer protection rules help you when you fly this summer?
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
