Safety Tips: Beach Safety

To help visitors stay safe, Florida public beaches use a standardized warning flag system. Be sure to check the flags before entering the water:

• Double Red: Beach closed to swimmers
• Single Red: High hazard due to strong currents and/or high surf
• Yellow: Medium hazard with moderate surf and/or currents
• Green: Low hazard with calm conditions
• Purple: Presence of dangerous marine life

Swimming in the ocean is vastly different from swimming in a pool. A strong pool swimmer is not necessarily a strong ocean swimmer. Unlike a controlled pool environment, the ocean is constantly changing, with shifting tides and unpredictable currents.

• Check the Tide: Low tide is generally safer because the water is shallower, but conditions change quickly. You may be able to walk out to a sandbar at low tide, but when the tide comes in, you might have to swim back
• Be Aware of Currents: Different currents can exist along the same shoreline, varying in direction and speed. The most dangerous are rip currents—fast-moving channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore

Rip currents are responsible for over 100 drownings each year in the U.S. and account for more than 80 percent of beach rescues. Unlike myths suggest, rip currents don’t pull swimmers underwater; they pull them out to sea. The danger arises when swimmers panic or exhaust themselves trying to fight the current.

How to Survive a Rip Current:

• Stay calm. Don’t try to swim against the current
• Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current’s pull. Once free, swim back to shore
• If you can’t break free, float or tread water until the current weakens, then swim to shore
• If someone is in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. Many people drown trying to rescue others

Sharks may be feared, but they are not the most common beach hazard. Statistically, you're more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by a shark. However, other marine creatures pose risks:

• Jellyfish, Man-O-Wars, and Stingrays are more frequently encountered. Their stings can be painful and, in rare cases, dangerous. Alert a lifeguard if you come across any of these creatures, so they can monitor the area

General Beach Safety Tips

• Never swim alone
• Learn to swim and ensure children know how to swim
• Always swim at lifeguard-protected beaches
• Supervise children at all times, even if they’re not in the water
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for added safety. Make sure it fits properly and is securely fastened
• Avoid using flotation devices like pool noodles, water wings or inflatable tubes in the ocean. These are not designed for open water and can quickly become hazardous
• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix. Alcohol impairs judgment and motor function, increasing the risk of drowning
• Check weather and surf conditions before heading to the beach
• Learn CPR. In an emergency, knowing how to perform CPR can save lives

By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy the ocean safely. Always respect the power of the water, and when in doubt, don’t go out. Stay safe and have a great time at the beach.