Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death in the world. Even two inches of water can be enough to cause death. Drowning victims rarely make loud noises and may be unconscious when they are in trouble. To spot someone in trouble, watch for a low head, eyes closed, and legs vertically in the water. Be aware of the waves, as well. Waves can cause drowning, so it’s crucial to be aware of them.
Avoid
A simple knowledge of drowning prevention techniques will help you avoid the most common causes of accidental death in the water. Even the most experienced swimmers can drown if something goes wrong. Knowing what NOT to do is vital to avoiding these accidents. You can prevent them from happening to your child by following some simple guidelines. Here are some things you can do to avoid drowning in the ocean. Listed below are some of the most common ways that drowning can occur.
The risk of drowning is highest in children, especially young children. Various factors increase the risk of drowning: lack of swimming ability, unsupervised water access, and failure to wear life jackets. Alcohol and seizure disorders are also factors in drowning. Additionally, the tides and currents affect the risk of drowning. Thus, you should avoid swimming in unpatrolled beaches if you can. Aside from the above tips, you should also avoid going into water with children who cannot swim.
Avoid rip currents
If you are going to the beach, you must know how to avoid rip currents in the ocean. These currents are dangerous to swimmers and surfers. Surfers can ride out rip tides with their boards, but they prefer to stay where the waves break farther out in the ocean. You can spot a rip tide from shore if you know how to spot it. Look for a break in the wave pattern, or if the water is foamy or changing color.
Rip currents are the most dangerous ocean currents, accounting for hundreds of drownings and 100,000 lifeguard rescues on world beaches every year. Rip currents are strong currents that sweep people offshore. Each beach has a specific current. When caught in one, it is important to stay calm and swim away from it, using a flotation device or treading water. You must also draw attention to yourself if you are caught in one.
If you are caught in a rip current, do not panic. Instead, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore. If possible, stay calm and try to tread water until the current passes you. The rip current will weaken if you move out of it, so do not exhaust yourself fighting against it. When you swim parallel to the shore, you will have more time to reach shore and be rescued.
Avoid jellyfish
Although many of the species of jellyfish never come in contact with humans, there are a few that can sting. Infested waters are often frequented by swimmers. Jellyfish tend to have long tentacles, and even if they are dead, their tentacles can still sting if you handle them. If you encounter a jellyfish, be sure to avoid it. The most important precaution is to always wear appropriate clothing and use protective gear.
When visiting the ocean, you need to understand that jellyfish are at their most active during the wet season. You should avoid visiting certain beaches if they have a jellyfish outbreak, especially during the summer. Be vigilant about lifeguards and posted warning signs. Always take tweezers and vinegar, as you never know when you might encounter a jellyfish. Whether or not you do happen to see one, it is a good idea to carry these items with you while you’re at the beach.
Besides these two types of jellyfish, you must also be aware of the Portuguese Manowar jellyfish and its red tentacles. These two species are very similar, but the Portuguese Manowar jellyfish is more venomous, with its large tentacles and piercing sting. The Portuguese Manowar is a jellyfish that has reached the shores of Israel and the eastern Mediterranean. Besides their yellow and blue colours, these jellyfish are extremely dangerous, especially to children. Though the stings are usually not life-threatening, the signs can be severe, so always be careful when approaching these types.
Avoid shorebreaks
If you want to be safe in the ocean, avoid going into shallow waters where the waves break. Whether it is nighttime or during the day, ocean swimming is hazardous and can lead to serious injuries. Rip tides, undertow, and rip currents are other dangers to watch for. If you do go into the water, always stay calm and duck under oncoming waves. In case of emergency, you should try to float or ride parallel to the shoreline.
The type of waves that break on the beach depends on the geomorphology of the area. The dumping waves break quickly and with great force. These waves are loved by surfers, but they can seriously injure swimmers. They can also pull you out into 15 feet of water. Therefore, it is essential that you remain calm and make sure you swim back to shore quickly. It’s also advisable to swim in a group to prevent the risks of being alone in the ocean.
Another ocean condition that is potentially dangerous is called a shorebreak. These waves are often formed by a rapid transition from deep water to shallow water. The energy they carry can knock swimmers off their feet, resulting in injuries to the head, neck, and spine. If you happen to get caught in these waves, you can become unconscious and suffer from serious spinal cord injuries. A lifeguard is your best resource to avoid such dangerous conditions.
Avoid dumping waves
Dumping waves are often the main cause of spinal injuries in Australia. These powerful waves curl over a sandbank and often onto a vulnerable beach. Surf life savers often witness the result of dumping waves, including head injuries, broken limbs, and concussions. Because dumping waves are so powerful, they can knock people off their feet. Surf life savers recommend that surfers keep a close eye on the waves, especially those in the shallow water.
Dumping waves can be avoided by swimming in shallow water. The steeper the shore, the more dumping waves are likely to occur. Dumping waves cause spinal fractures, and they can drag weak swimmers into the water. They can also cause serious injuries, such as broken bones, if they’re not properly prepared for them. If you’re not used to surfing, a dumping wave may be a real threat.
Avoid unregulated fishing practices
IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing practices are equivalent to illegal wildlife trade. These fisheries destroy the habitat of other marine species and harm the economy of their home countries. They also speed up overfishing and undermine legal markets and food security. Besides that, IUU fishing has also been linked to slavery, piracy, and illegal drug trafficking.
The use of heavy gear and other unsafe methods of fishing has the potential to destroy delicate habitats. Fishing gear can destroy these ecosystems in a single pass. The use of sea floor-based fishing techniques on the sandy bottom helps prevent ghost fishing and bycatch. The use of opportunistic fishing practices in such areas is a sign of poor fishery management. Good fishery management ensures the use of seafloor-based fishing methods to protect these habitats.
Transversal criminality is more common in the industrial fishing sector. Chinese vessels and companies are disproportionately involved in transversal crime. Indeed, twelve of the top 20 culprits are Chinese companies. Because of the increasing interest in such issues in the media, the reported incidence rates may be exaggerated. Still, reports point to an increasing trend in illegal fishing in West Africa and a global increase in drug trafficking in the fishing industry.
Avoid harmful algal blooms
To avoid being exposed to harmful algal blooms, you must learn how to recognize them. Not all blooms contain toxins, and the amount can change over time. HABs appear as scums, flecks, foams, globs, and green sheens on the ocean’s surface. To prevent exposure, it is best to avoid swimming, boating, and drinking water from areas with blooms.
In order to detect harmful algal blooms before they reach shore, scientists at NOAA, the federal agency, are collaborating with universities in the Gulf of Maine to Puget Sound to develop new sensors and early warning systems. One such sensor could identify microscopic algae, and give swimmers an early warning when the water contains the microscopic organisms. Another NOAA tool, the HAB Forecasting System, combines satellite imagery with information from weather buoys to forecast the presence of harmful algal blooms.
Aside from blocking sunlight from marine organisms, harmful algal blooms can also harm humans and pets. Different species of Pseudo-nitzschia like different types of light, nutrients, and temperature. While most species of Pseudo-nitzschia are not toxic, some are, and they accumulate in shellfish and other products. If ingested, these contaminated shellfish can cause illnesses.
