Aquatic Safety Research Group: Beach Safety Tips / Water Safety Tips

Beach Safety Tips

Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC strives to educate the public and those in the aquatic industry about water safety in the hopes of preventing a tragedy.

Aquatic Safety Research Group's own Dr. Tom Griffiths is an internationally recognized educator specializing in drowning prevention and aquatic safety. He is the author of the only beach management textbook in the nation, Better Beaches, and developed the only national beach manager's training program in the U.S., Safe Swimming Beaches.

Download Dr. Tom Griffiths' Seven Safety Tips for Beach Managers.

Download Dr. Tom Griffiths' Top Ten Tips for Improving Family Beach Safety

General Beach Safety Tips

Swim Near A Lifeguard Statistics indicate that it is safer to swim on beaches with lifeguard services. Lifeguards are trained not only in injury prevention, but also in emergency response. Should anything go wrong at the beach, a lifeguard can help make the difference between life and death. Areas without lifeguard protection may also be areas that have hidden dangers such as sudden drop-offs, currents and weeds all which can endanger your safety.
Learn to Swim Everyone should know how to swim. Remember that swimming in an ocean or lake is often much different than swimming in a pool. Waves, currents and tides can quickly become overpowering. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Contact your local American Red Cross, YMCA or recreation department for information on swimming lessons in your area.
Alcohol and Swimming Do Not Mix Approximately 50% of catastrophic injuries (including drowning) involve alcohol consumption. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your judgment, balance, and coordination. Alcohol affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm. Alcohol can make you take risks at the beach that could lead to serious injury or death.

Seven Tips for Family Beach Safety* * Developed by Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC in cooperation with South Walton County Tourist Development Council
	Keep Kids Within Arm's Reach Especially in the sea, but also on land.
	Don't Dive In 2/3 of catastrophic neck injuries occur in open water and the sea.
	Knee Deep Is Too Deep Strong winds, waves and currents create dangerous rip currents that can sweep a child out to sea.
	Know Before You Go Know your flags - Red means stop; Green means go.
	Take Frequent Breaks Every hour take a sun, water or bathroom break.
	Go With The Wind Lost children tend to take the course of least resistance - follow the wind to find your kid.
	Look But Don't Touch Call local authorities to help injured or stranded animals.
Aquatic Safety Research Group is also proud to offer the only two nationally-recognized instructors for the Safe Swimming Beaches seminar. Both Tom Griffiths and Shawn DeRosa (of DeRosa Aquatic Consulting) bring a dynamic and relaxed teaching style to this one-day beach management seminar and encourage maximum participation and sharing among all participants. Ask your beach manager if he/she has taken the Safe Swimming Beaches seminar! If not, perhaps they should.