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Beach safety Dos and Don'ts |
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Written by Kenneth Thompson
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Thursday, 14 May 2009 19:29 |
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Dealing with Nasty Stings
by KennethThompson
Dealing with Nasty Stings
If you or someone you are with is unfortunate enough to be stung by a Weeverfish, get some hot water, test it to make sure it is not too hot for the skin, and pour it over the sting.
The sting from a jellyfish can be very painful, and in some instances life threatening. If it is a standard, non-life threatening sting, the best thing to do to reduce the painful swelling is to spray it with urine or sea water. Don't rub it as this will make it worse. Then, apply a cold compress or ice if you can. If the sting seems particularly severe, or the individual affected is suffering from other symptoms such as raised pulse or breathing difficulties, seek immediate medical attention.
If you must bring inflatable toys.
Inflatables such as air beds and blow up toys are meant to be used on dry land, or in a swimming pool, and are not suitable for use in the sea, as they can be swept out by the tides and unseen currents. If you insist on bringing them to the beach, then at least make sure you follow the following any given safety guidelines.
Don't go beyond the area between the red and yellow flags - Stay close to any children in your care, and supervise them at all times - Follow the advice of the lifeguard to the letter - Don't take them out in big waves, or when the orange windsock is flying, as they will be impossible to control, and dangerous as a result.
Stay safe in the sun.
While many people go to the beach purely to enjoy the sunshine, and it can lead to some glorious days, it is wise to avoid direct exposure to the sun, particularly around mid-day. Sunburn can ruin your holiday, and increases your risk of contracting skin cancer, so wear loose clothing and the strongest sunscreen you can lay your hands on if you want to minimise your risk. Remember the old slogan:
Put on a white or light T-shirt
A decent had can save your head and shoulders
SLOP on some sunscreen
How to pick the right beach for you.
The things that the majority of people are looking for in a beach include easy transport and parking, showering and fresh water facilities, cleanliness and the availability of tempting refreshments. However, when youre planning a beach trip, its vital that you bear in mind a few less obvious, but no less important considerations, such as the type of tides and currents and the type of marine life that comes close to shore, for example piranhas or weeverfish. But the most important thing to remember is that if youre planning to mess about in the water, make sure that the beach you are visiting has a lifeguard present. The website www.goodbeachguide.co.uk is a great resource for helping you to find out these things in advance.
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