so all local schools are finally out for
summer whoo-hoo very exciting I know my
kids are so excited to be sleeping in
this morning and many of you may be
getting ready to spend a lot of time in
the ocean this summer because it is so
hot try to cool off plus it's just fun
to take the family down there isn't it
so the question is you've packed the
sunscreen and you remember the towels
and the chairs and everything but have
you ever thought about what you would do
in the event of an emergency of the
beach probably have it and you need to
some of the most common hazards
you know rip currents injuries heat
emergencies heart attack maybe you're
diabetic and other things like jellyfish
stings and you know we have reported on
shark bites at our local beaches as well
I hate to say that I don't want to jinx
us but joining me now to walk us through
some important information when it comes
to beach safety is Jacksonville Beach
Ocean Rescue lieutenant max or Vania and
good morning thanks for being you're
always good to see you max - appreciate
it
so let's start first with heat
emergencies I think we there's a
tendency that Walt the waters right
there it's certainly cooler than the air
outside so you don't really think that
maybe people would get overheated but it
happens yeah absolutely you know we
really want to remind all bathers and be
sure when they're coming to the beach to
stay hydrated bring those waters with
them and if they are going to be
consuming a lot of sugary drinks that we
want to remind them to drink additional
water with the sugary drinks that they
are drinking and even if you are
drinking alcohol as well or soda that
can then lead to dehydration which then
could lead to overheating and do you see
that often and and I guess I'm wondering
if this is not necessarily people who
live along the ocean and are just used
to being out in the heat but maybe
people who are traveling here are not
familiar with how hot it can get you
know we kind of see a little bit of both
we see I would say every weekend we're
having at least one or two heat
emergencies and it is from the local
community but it is also from people who
are not from the beach and what we
really recommend to anyone who's coming
to the beach is if you're not used to
being outside for more than a couple
hours at a time is to get in the shade
get in the cool water you know get into
an area that has AC or fans blowing at
you so you can relax and then continue
to go out to the beach and enjoy it and
and it's interesting to be we're talking
during the break that you see quite a
of injuries as well whether it be maybe
surfers who you know have a cut as a
result of you know falling off the board
or even brakes you know arms legs broken
yes absolutely you know we're we see a
lot of injuries up and down the beach
because you have to remember people are
out at the beach for two to four to
eight to nine to ten hours at a time
doing a lot of physical exertion so if
you are ever hurt on the beach you know
we really recommend for someone to go
see a lifeguard immediately so that we
can provide emergency care if you don't
see a lifeguard nearby so call 9-1-1 so
we're able to respond appropriately and
and that's an important point also too I
mean you want to I mean if you have to
go to the beach by yourself that's fine
but stay by a lifeguard is an example
because there might not be somebody
there who can call to get you the help
that you need
absolutely you always want to be next to
a lifeguard you know enjoying the beach
right by a lifeguard in eyesight of a
lifeguard in when you're going in the
water not only do you want to go in the
water with a buddy but you want to go in
the water in front of a lifeguard
yeah don't always assume too that
somebody else is watching as we know
that that happens in the water with the
kids but also if I have to mention this
because I know that every time we come
out and see you particularly during the
summer it's probably one of the top
things that you always tell us that's a
big problem particularly around the
fourth of July and that is kids getting
lost from their Guardians
it's absolutely you know just last week
we had a missing child for over an hour
and a half and you know we really want
to urge all parents who come to the
beach with children to introduce the
child to the lifeguard because if the
child can't find the parents they'll be
able to find that big red chair with a
lifeguard sitting on it and if the
parents can't find their child we want
them to immediately go to the lifeguard
so that we can help you know don't delay
in looking for your child for a little
bit and then coming to the lifeguard but
immediately come to the lifeguard so we
can help and one last thing too that
we've actually started seeing an issue
with is beach goers finding children who
are lost they are taking the children
and starting to look for their parents
with that child and we need to remind
all bathers from each goers if you think
that a child is lost is to maybe direct
that child to the lifeguard bring that
child with you to the lifeguard and
bring it to us so that we can help
reunite and you know the reason that
this is the case is because you know if
you if it's been let's say 20-30 minutes
that could be several lifeguards you
know that
stations that this kid has walked to so
you're trying to figure out why it's so
important that you notify them right
away as you're trying to figure out that
distance that circumference that they
could have have wandered which is why
it's so important you know do not wander
off with them to another lifeguard
station but the closest one really quick
jellyfish stings big problem you know
they come in waves you know jellyfish
comes with the currents and the wind so
we want to remind all bathers and
beachgoers if they get stung by a
jellyfish come see a lifeguard we can we
can apply you know a solution to them to
help with the pain if anybody who is
allergic to bees wasps or ants they are
may be susceptible for an allergic
reaction for jellyfish so we really want
to remind all bathers and músicos get
stung by a jellyfish come see us we can
help you out
Orton - because if you have an allergy
to things that you mentioned you may
need to bring your we know your EpiPen
with you absolutely that's great
information thank you very much for
being here do appreciate we hope you
have a safe trip out to the beach free
of emergencies we will post this
interview later this morning a news for
Jax comm in case you missed it