DATE: August 19, 2009 3:49:44 PM EDT

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News Release

Date:
Aug. 19, 2009 

Contact:
Bobby Nash
(305) 318-1864

Coast Guard urges water safety along First Coast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Coast Guard stresses that all boaters and beachgoers exercise caution while on the water as Hurricane Bill produces potentially hazardous conditions along the First Coast.

Hurricane Bill is expected to cause heavy waves and rip currents along the First Coast as it approaches North America. Rip currents and undertows can drag swimmers away from their boat or beach and lead to death by drowning when they attempt to fight the current and become exhausted.

According to the United States Lifesaving Association, rip currents cause approximately 100 deaths annually in the United States, more than all other natural hazards except heat and floods. More than 80 percent of rescues by beach lifeguards are due to rip currents totaling 18,000 lifeguard rescues a year.

Tips for swimmers on how to avoid and survive currents:

  • Never swim alone.
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim toward shore or a boat.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore or a boat.
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore or boat, waving your arms, and yelling for help.
  • If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.

 

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