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Swimming into the 21st Century
What’s up everyone, I hope you all had a great thanksgiving. Welcome back. So far we’ve talked about the need for some ocean safety knowledge, covered some solid online sources that can help you prepare for unpredictable and potentially dangerous ocean conditions, compared ocean safety to internet safety, and tackled some myths about the dangers of the beach. Today we’re diving into the twenty first century by talking about some smartphone apps you can install today that will help you make the most of every beach trip and better prepare you for potential safety hazards while enjoying the ocean.
Developer: Surfline/Wavetrak
Platform: Apple iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Price: Free – Surfline does offer premium membership to their website, which provides various additional features, but this membership is more aimed at avid surfers. Surfline’s free features are more than enough to prepare the average beachgoer for their beach day.
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (405 ratings)
Suggested uses: Check out weather conditions before heading to the beach. Surfline provides up to date information on wave height, swell direction, wind speed and direction, and any other information regarding ocean and weather conditions for practically every beach or coastline around the world. They offer forecasts for over a week out if you are planning your beach trip ahead of time, and even provide HD live cams for popular beaches and surf breaks. Whether you’re an aspiring surfer or cautious beachgoer, Surfline will provide you with anything and everything you need or want to know about beach conditions.
Developer: Apalon Apps, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free. Premium version is available for $2.99, but free version still offers live weather alerts and plenty of weather related information that can be useful when planning trips to the water.
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (79.3 thousand ratings)
Suggested uses: Check out weather conditions before heading to the beach. Receive live updates as conditions change, including conditions that are potentially hazardous. Lists health related conditions that may specifically be impacted by the weather, so individuals affected by certain health conditions can be extra cautious.
First Aid by American Red Cross
Developer: American Red Cross
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Free
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (67 ratings)
Suggested uses: Provides tons of easy to use information and directions on how to treat all sorts of potential injuries, as well as tips on preparing for natural disasters or potential emergencies of all kinds. Having worked as an ocean lifeguard for almost four years, I would recommend everyone take a basic first aid and CPR course no matter what their line of work or hobbies are. Assuming you do have some basic first aid training, this app does an excellent job of helping refresh the things we learn in class. Also, seeing as most people pretty much always have their smartphones on them, you would have instructions to deal with any injury or emergency you didn’t already know how to approach.
A big part of ocean safety is being prepared for emergencies. With the amazing technology we have today at our fingertips, you can be a few steps ahead of any problems you may run into at the beach and in the ocean. Use your smartphone, play it safe. Know before you go.
Know Before You Go – PSA Video
Know Before You Go from Connor Varney on Vimeo.
Nothing beats a day at the beach, but it’s important to remember good ocean safety habits and to stay alert while having fun and playing in the water. This quick video highlights some of the dangers the ocean poses and offers some habits and skills you can start building today to ensure you aren’t putting yourself or others in harm’s way while enjoying the beach. Take advantage of all the amazing things the ocean has to offer, but always remember to stay safe!
USLA Lifeguarding rescue statistics
If you’re just joining us, you can get caught up with the Know Before You Go Blog here.
Delightful to Disastrous: Understanding the Dangers of the Ocean
Ocean Safety While Surfing… The Web
Safety First
Mermaids and Other Ocean Myths
Wednesday Lecture Response
Interesting videos this week, especially the Poem about putting phones down. I thought it would be sort of cheesy going in, but it was really thoughtful and well done. The scenes of groups of people sitting around on their phones suddenly fading to just one person being along on their phone were a super unique and creative way to show how smartphones have impacted our social lives and the way people interact face to face. It ties in really well with the disconnect challenge we talked about earlier in the quarter, and the things we miss out on because of our smartphones despite the advantages they do provide. I feel like my close group of friends are really good about putting our phones away when we all hang out with each other, but I must say its really hard to break this trend when hanging out with people who don’t share that mindset. If I am hanging out with friends who are all on their phone, my two options are to either sit there silently doing nothing or to pull mine out as well. Hopefully the trend of “disconnecting” continues to grow and those who already practice this will find themselves in more comfortable, social situations with different groups of people who are also trying to bring socializing back to face to face conversation.
The Selective attention test is a video I have seen before, but it does do a good job of highlighting the things we miss when we are focused on something else. I think it relates to a lot of different things, not just smartphone usage, but it definitely does tie in with what we’ve been learning about.
The TedX talk tied in with the other side of the argument really well; Smartphones do have a lot of great applications. Even smaller things like google maps or the ability to search something instantly can be really helpful at times. I think the combined takeaway from the videos we watched is that smartphones shouldn’t be condemned, rather we all just have to learn how to maximize the great things that they offer without letting them overstep on our lives too much. Obviously this balance will be different for everyone, but its clear that in this day and age most people absolutely let their smartphones impede on their lives too much. Being able to use them only when necessary, and not as time killers or escapes from awkward situations, would be a huge step towards us truly reconnecting with each other.
Mermaids and Other Ocean Myths
We’ve talked about misinformation before, but today we’re really going to dive in. Know Before You Go encourages a proper approach to ocean safety and awareness, and a big part of this proper approach is understanding that common misconceptions about drowning and other ocean related injuries or deaths are exactly that: misconceptions. We’re going to cover some common myths and misconceptions about ocean safety today, and talk a bit about the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Rough ocean conditions are the only dangerous ocean conditions.
Truth: Any ocean conditions can be dangerous. In fact, people are more likely to be injured or killed in relatively calm ocean conditions than they are in clearly rough ocean conditions, due to people letting their guard down. This applies both to individuals who could suddenly find themselves in trouble as well as people who could potentially offer aid to people in need of rescue. One of the first things we learned during lifeguard certification courses is to never let your guard down, especially during calm days. The ocean and weather can change in a matter of minutes and become perilous, and it’s important to always stay alert and aware when in the water.
Myth #2: People who drown make a scene and are easy to spot.
Fact: People who drown often do so fairly silently. The Instinctive Drowning Response describes how people tend to respond to drowning, and it actually involves very little splashing, yelling, or waving. Instead people won’t open their mouth to avoid water entering their mouth, and when it is above water they will gasp for air instead of calling for help. They will also use their arms to stay afloat, instead of using them to wave for help. It’s important to identify the actual signs of someone who is struggling in the water, and again to always be alert when around the water.
Myth #3: You can only get hypothermia in cold water.
Fact: Water pulls heat away from the body 25x faster than air. While cold water is a lot more dangerous than warm water when it comes to body heat, people can still develop hypothermia in the tropics if in the water for a long period of time. In water temperatures above 70 degrees unconsciousness can still occur in as little as three hours, and additional factors like inefficient energy consumption and external weather can speed hypothermia symptoms up significantly. Just as you shouldn’t let your guard down in calm ocean conditions, be sure to listen to your body, dry off, and get warm if you feel like you need it.
Myth #4: You don’t need sunblock on cloudy days.
Truth: The sun can be just as harmful to your health as the ocean can, depending on the weather. You can get just as sunburned when its overcast as you can when it’s clear, hot, and sunny. 87% of the sun’s rays will still penetrate through clouds, mist, and fog. Rain clouds do a considerably more effective job of blocking out the sun’s rays, but unless it’s literally raining on your beach day you should sunblock up.
Myth #5: Its only water, it can’t hurt you.
Truth: This is something, word for word, that I’ve heard countless times growing up. Any time there’s decent surf back home, visitors will say this to people they are trying to get to follow them into the water. Parents say it to their kids, spouses to their significant other, overconfident college kids to their friends. I understand that its meant to be encouraging and help people fight their fears, but teaching people that waves and currents can’t hurt you is absolutely the wrong way to approach this, and I’ve seen it lead to injury plenty of times. Instead, teach people how to approach the ocean cautiously and safely so that they can build true confidence and water skills.
Myth #6: Its safe if there are lifeguards present.
Fact: While lifeguards play a huge part in keeping beaches and beachgoers safe, their presence doesn’t make you invincible. As I said earlier, you should never let your guard totally down when around the ocean. In 2016, there were 175 drowning fatalities in the U.S., and 25 of them occurred at guarded beaches. I’ve witnessed a drowning fatality myself at one of the most popular, guarded beaches in Hawaii, and while the lifeguards did everything in their power to save the individual, it was an extremely hectic, busy day and there was nothing they could have done differently to prevent the incident. Only you can be 100% accountable for your own safety in the ocean.
Myth #7: Strong swimmers don’t drown
Truth: Confident and able swimmers are often at just as much risk as weak swimmers, especially in the ocean. It’s nothing like swimming in a pool, and people who are confident swimmers can easily turn into overconfident swimmers, and then victims, if they dive straight into the ocean without prior open water swimming experience or knowledge of the ocean conditions. This is another thing I have seen in my time growing up in Hawaii. I’ve worked water patrol at the IronMan world championships in Kona before, and have had my fair share of experienced swimmers rest on my watercraft and tell me how taken aback they were at the wind chop and currents in the ocean, and how much this can throw off a swimmer who isn’t used to it. Strong swimming skills can absolutely be an advantage in the ocean, but only if its accompanied with the same cautiousness an inexperienced swimmer would have.
Myth #8: You don’t get dehydrated in the water.
Truth: We still sweat, expend energy, and need to hydrate while in the water. Signs of this, like visible sweating and feeling overheated, may not be as obvious while in the water, however. Whatever activity you choose to do in the ocean, remember that swimming, treading water, and just being in the ocean in general will consume energy. Remember to eat and stay hydrated throughout your beach day so that if you need energy to escape a potentially dangerous situation, you will be able to.
As you can see, there are lots of preconceived notions out there about water and ocean safety. It’s important to always stay aware and play it safe, weather it comes to swimming, avoiding sunburn, or staying hydrated and energized. Remember to keep an eye out for others even if there are lifeguards present, and know that you’re alertness and knowledge of ocean safety could save someone’s life.
Safety First
I’m glad you’re sticking around and care about ocean safety. If you just got here, don’t just dive right in… Get up to speed by checking out my first post about the importance of ocean safety, especially if you love the beach and the ocean as much as I do. I know we’ve covered a lot recently, so today were going to talk about some general safety tips that you all are probably familiar with. As we go, we’ll make comparisons to ocean safety, which may help make things a bit more clear.
First things first, use common sense. If you stumbled across this blog, you probably spend a decent amount of time surfing the web. You know when a website or file looks sketchy and should be avoided, as it may have malicious content. The ocean doesn’t have malicious intentions, but I promise it can mess you up a whole lot more than any virus or malware can. Always proceed with caution, and be on the lookout for scenarios that look dangerous.
Next, get educated. That’s the whole point of this blog! There is tons of information out there about how to install firewalls and security systems on your computer and how to avoid or if needed, get rid of malicious hardware on your computer. KINE 320 at Cal Poly offers a lot of great information on this. Check out my last blog post for some resources specifically relating to ocean safety and awareness, and go get educated on how you can be better prepared for whatever the ocean throws at you.
Finally, be prepared. Always backup important work on your computer in case something goes wrong. If you’re planning on going anywhere where your laptop or any sort of electronic device could get damaged, its never a bad idea to back it up somewhere secure beforehand. If you’ve been reading this blog, you also know not to go to the beach without checking the surf and weather report first. Be prepared for whatever life throws at you and you’ll be a lot better off.
The internet can be dangerous just like the ocean at times. Stay on top of your internet safety can keep your computer running smoothly, especially so that you can stay up to date with my blog posts. Follow me on Vimeo at Connor Varney and Instagram @oceanawarenessgram to keep up with the ocean awareness program.
Ocean Safety While Surfing… The Web
A few weeks ago, I discussed a few reasons why everyone should learn at least a bit about ocean safety. We talked about how a lot of ocean related rescues and deaths, especially those in high tourism areas like Hawaii, could have been avoided had people had some experience in and knowledge of the ocean. Today we’ll talk a little bit about reasons why people may be ignorant about this topic and why that is dangerous, as well as some good resources everyone should check out to learn about water safety.
As I mentioned last time, ocean sports like surfing and stand up paddling are some of the quickest growing sports in the world. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have brought millions of followers from all over the world to surf companies and organizations like Surfline and the World Surf League, as well as professional athletes like Kelly Slater and Gabriel Medina. These companies and athletes profit off of the growth of the watersports, and highlighting the dangers of something generally isn’t the best way to attract people to it. They instead glorify the hardcore chargers who are catching the craziest waves and pulling the gnarliest stunts, since that’s the kind of stuff that takes off on social media. Keep in mind, all of this publicity and growth has done a lot of amazing things for the sport and has helped promote environmentally friendly campaigns that aim to keep oceans clean. It has, however, also brought hardcore watersports to people who didn’t grow up around the ocean and don’t have experience in or awareness of it. Things can go south when these people try their sport in the ocean, especially when their role models are professional, hardcore chargers who are all over social media, as it’s an entirely different experience than any lake or pool.
Organizations such as American Red Cross, the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), and even NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) have great information about water safety on their websites. The American Red Cross in particular has an excellent section on introductory water safety, while the USLA offers great programs and advice about safety in the ocean itself. Specifically, they cover things like rip currents, surf, and other potential dangers that people swimming in pools or rivers wouldn’t have to worry about, as well as how swimmers can best approach these dangers if encountered. If you’re someone with little water experience and ocean safety knowledge, these are great places to start getting educated.
I would also recommend beachgoers always check the surf report before going to the beach. Surfline has a lot of great forecasts, covering wave height, tide, winds, and even swell period (strength). They even offer daily written reports at certain popular beaches. The reports are written by locals who know the area, so they’re a great resource for people who don’t know the local conditions and may have trouble interpreting the statistics offered in the forecasts. As you get more comfortable in the water and gain a better understanding of reading surf reports, check out websites like Stormsurf or Swellwatch for excellent weather maps that can show predicted conditions up to a week in advance. They just cover swell strength and direction, but once you get to know how the ocean conditions at your local beaches are effected by the open water storms these websites track, they make an excellent resource.
So there it is, my secret to successfully and safely enjoying the ocean in the 21st century. There’s nothing wrong with having professional big wave surfers like Jamie O’brien or Kelly Slater as role models, but you definitely shouldn’t be attempting the same stunts they show off on Instagram and Youtube. Instead, get educated through the various great resources out there, and then take time to hit the pool or beach every often to practice what you learned and to gain some confidence being in and around the water. Finally, be sure to check weather and surf reports any time you plan on going to the beach. Swells and currents can pick up out of nowhere, being one of the people who expects them and knows how to deal with them will make beach days much more enjoyable.
A Bit About Ocean Safety
Delightful to Disastrous: Understanding the Dangers of the Ocean
The ocean is one of the greatest things nature has to offer. Southern California alone sees over 130 million individual beach visits every year, and beach vacation destinations like Hawaii see upwards of 8 million visitors annually. While the ocean provides countless hours of enjoyment for tourists and water enthusiasts alike, it also has the potential to turn into a powerful and dangerous force of nature in the blink of an eye. The millions of people planning to visit the beach and swim in the ocean every year should be sure to have a basic understanding of ocean safety before doing so.
Drowning has consistently been one of the top causes of death in Hawaii, with an average of 57 deaths per year. It is by far the top cause of death for tourists, causing almost 50% of fatal injuries for non-residents between 2010 and 2014. Non-residents also saw considerably more drowning fatalities due to leisure activities such as snorkeling and swimming, whereas residents saw more drowning fatalities in particularly dangerous ocean activities such as freediving, opihi picking, and shoreline fishing. I believe this is because many visitors to Hawaii lack an understanding of basic ocean safety and awareness that many residents do possess. The dangers encountered during swimming and snorkeling, such as rip currents, high winds, and passing waves actually pose little threat, but only if approached properly and handled correctly.
Even if you aren’t planning on visiting Hawaii anytime soon, there are still reasons to pursue a basic understanding of ocean safety. Every year, beach lifeguards perform almost 90 thousand ocean rescues. Anyone who finds themselves in a sticky situation but can get themselves out of it not only helps reduce this number, it also allows beach lifeguards to focus their attention on others who may need help. Also, ocean sports are some of the quickest growing sports in the country, with surfing in particular seeing over 75,000 new participants annually and stand up paddling showing a 120% increase in participants over the past three years. As friends and family join these trends, you never know when an opportunity to get in the ocean will present itself. You will be able to approach all these new challenges and opportunities with confidence and from a safer standpoint if you already have a solid understanding of the ocean.
Don’t wait till it’s too late to practice swimming and learn about the more dangerous aspects of the ocean, because trial and error isn’t a valid learning method when error can result in drowning. This blog will cover the basics of ocean safety and educate readers so that they will be able to enjoy everything the ocean has to offer without putting themselves, or others, at risk.
Second Blog Post – Test
Know Before You Go 