| When I was 16, it was June and we had just moved | | | | you take advantage of this service and frequent |
| to Florida. I was so excited I could picture that | | | | these beaches. Lifeguards stations are dotted along |
| golden tan I was going to get. I remember distinctly | | | | the beaches and easy to spot because a lot of them |
| my father's words as we headed off to the beach | | | | are brightly colored. Lifeguards are trained in CPR, |
| with our towels and radio in search of the perfect | | | | basic first ad and normally have a direct line to police |
| tan. "Be careful this Florida sun is stronger than you're | | | | and emergency services. What if you go to a beach |
| used to, you need to have something on with at | | | | that doesn't have a lifeguard and find yourself in an |
| least an SPF of 15 at all times, 30 is better but I'll be | | | | emergency situation? Fortunately in this day and age |
| realistic, and reapply it often." We rolled our eyes as | | | | there are people with cell phones everywhere but |
| we left but took the bottle he held out to us. Guess | | | | you should always carry some small first aid kit with |
| what; it turns out he was right. The first time I was | | | | you or at least in your car and know where the |
| ever consciously aware of the heat from the Florida | | | | nearest help is located. |
| sun was years later. Fast forward to ten summers; I | | | | Two of the most common emergencies on our |
| was on a plane heading home to Central Florida from | | | | beaches seem to be jellyfish stings and rip currents. |
| New York, sitting in a window seat with my arm | | | | You can tell when you've been stung by a jellyfish |
| resting on the window 'sill'. I was wondering how | | | | because the affected area will start to burn or will |
| much longer to Orlando when the pilot came on telling | | | | become itchy, it can turn red and may swell up or |
| us to look out the window to see Cape Canaveral, it | | | | get bumpy. Seeking medical evaluation is preferable |
| was also at that moment I noticed that my arm, still | | | | depending on the severity of the sting but if none is |
| on the sill, had gotten considerably warmer. The truth | | | | readily available there are things you can do. First of |
| is that much of Florida's climate is considered sub | | | | all remove all tentacles that you can see but be sure |
| tropic so the sun is stronger here than the rest of | | | | to protect yourself from getting stung while doing |
| most of America. | | | | this, also don't rinse the area with fresh water, this |
| Here are some of the best tips to remember when | | | | may release more toxins and cause a further |
| headed to the beach this summer: | | | | reaction on the area, use salt water or don't rinse at |
| First of all follow a doctors advice - Use Sunscreen. | | | | all. White vinegar will help decrease symptoms too, it |
| They have everything from SPF 2 to SPF 60 but | | | | is also recommended that the person be given either |
| what does SPF mean and what does it do? SPF | | | | acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain, barring any |
| stands for Sun Protection Factor and is calculate in | | | | allergies, always be sure to ask about allergies. |
| minutes - the number of minutes it takes | | | | Immobilize the area to keep the toxin from spreading |
| unprotected skin to turn red compared to protected | | | | and keep the person as still as possible. Have them |
| skin. You get 10 minutes for every number meaning | | | | sit or lie down until help arrives or help them to a |
| an SPF of 2 gives you twenty minutes of protection | | | | waiting car for transport to further medical care. |
| in the sun before fair skin starts to turn red, if you | | | | Rip currents are, unfortunately, somewhat common |
| have darker skin it varies. | | | | in this area. Rip currents, simply defined are areas of |
| Always make sure children are well covered, they | | | | water rushing back out to sea from the shore and |
| have sunscreens made specifically for kids that now | | | | are especially prevalent on windy days. The best |
| come in convenient sprays so you can get it on | | | | way to free yourself from a rip current is to swim |
| them quick and let their squirming bodies go play in | | | | parallel to the shore. The worst thing you can do |
| the sand. For the rest of us protection still comes in | | | | should you find yourself trapped in a rip current is |
| lotions, oils and gels, there are even lighter versions | | | | panic, this uses up your breath and can cause you to |
| for your face and ones that protect your skin from | | | | drown. Remain calm and, if there is one near, try to |
| the UV rays too. When applying sun protection let | | | | get the attention of a lifeguard. If there is no |
| common sense rule, reapply it after you've been | | | | lifeguard near swim along the shore until you feel the |
| swimming or if you've been sweating, like after | | | | pull is gone, keeping in mind you can escape so try |
| playing volleyball. When you start to feel your skin | | | | not to panic. |
| getting hot cover up or it may even be time to go in. | | | | Ever go to a beach and see one of those little |
| A good hat will also keep the sun off your face. | | | | colored flags flying? Hopefully you have. These flags |
| Another wonderful shade provider can be Umbrellas. | | | | are meant to be a way for swimmers to know |
| They are popping up more and more on the beaches | | | | what, if anything, is going on in the water so even if |
| these days, they come in all shapes and sizes and are | | | | you go to Florida beaches that doesn't have a |
| very useful in keeping the sun off of you. They are | | | | lifeguard you can still be safe in the water. Here are |
| great for families with small children and for people | | | | the colors commonly used and what they generally |
| who like being on the beach but don't want to get | | | | mean: |
| much, if any sun. | | | | Green - Conditions are favorable for swimming, low |
| Beach chairs are also making a comeback, again in all | | | | hazard |
| shapes and sizes, some come with carrying cases | | | | Yellow - Medium Hazard |
| and umbrellas attached, you can even get ones with | | | | Red - High Hazard |
| cup holders and foot rests if you'd like to really | | | | Purple - Marine pests present |
| stretch out without being in the sand. They have | | | | Red Over Red - DANGER. Water closed to public use |
| short ones that sit right in the surf sand and ones | | | | When you get to the beach, if there is a hazard flag |
| that are taller and better in the looser sand more up | | | | flying and a lifeguard nearby, you can ask for more |
| shore. | | | | details. |
| Many Florida beaches have lifeguards on duty, if you | | | | So go, enjoy the beach, and be safe out there. |
| have small children with you it is recommended that | | | | |