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Almost everyone knows that you should use sun block while out in the sun.
There are many to choose from.
If your going to be out in the sun: USE SUN BLOCK!
EVEN ON OVERCAST AND CLOUDY DAYS IN FLORIDA YOU CAN STILL GET BURNED.
What do we find that works the best?
HANDS DOWN its "Ocean Potion". This product does what it says it will do. The
Ocean Potion Lotion for after your time in the sun, does help with keeping a tan and
helps soothes if you got too much sun.
Most Captains and Mate's who spend their life in
the sun will tell you THIS is the product to have.
They have paid us nothing to mention their product here. We love it so much we had to.
Drink Plenty of Fluids , Water is the best. It is EASY to get sun stroke
here in Florida. Sun Stroke creeps up on you. Head ache from the sun is your first clue
that you are on your way. Consult your doctor on any symptoms you have or how to avoid
it.
Shark Safety
Do not swim at Dusk or Dawn.
Do not swim in murky water.
Do not swim near fisherman or large schools of bait fish.
Remove all jewelry before swimming.
Don't splash a lot while in the water.
Avoid very bright colored swim suits.
Basic Beach Safety
Learn To Look Before You Leap.
We recommend that beach goers wait till 9:00 a.m. before going
in. Why? because you will find many animals feed at dawn and dusk.
This includes sharks, stingrays and other fish.
You should also look out at the water before going in. Where
are the birds? Are they all huddled at the shore line? If they are
it is because they are avoiding a predator. Are there lots of bait
fish? What is the current like.
If you are NOT a great swimmer you should NOT be swimming in
waves over two feet. It is very easy to get exhausted or to get
caught in rip current.
You need to learn to be able to identify a rip current. If you
are ever caught in a rip current swim parallel to the shore. Most rip
currents are no more than 15 yards wide. If you try to swim back to shore
you will tire and you will not make it NO MATTER how good a swimmer you are.
Follow all the rules for stingray and shark safety.
Do not go beyond swim buoys. There is a reason they are where they are.
Do not swim out to the sandbar unless you are a good swimmer. Swimming out
to the sandbar in the early morning is not a good idea for those that
are not VERY familiar with our waters.
NEVER swim in rough sea's. You are asking for it.
Surfers already know the risk they take but if you are NOT an experienced surfer
Don't swim in rough sea's.
Stingray Safety
Always do the stingray shuffle.
Shuffle your feet while you walk through the sand and before
you put your feet down on the bottom stir up the sand a bit.
If you do this more often than not the stingrays will move.
What are the odds of me being "hit" or "tagged" by a ray?
The odds are rather low that you will get tagged by a ray. However,
beach goers do get tagged all the time. We have found that in
most cases it is due NOT having done the stingray shuffle.
If you live on the Gulf side of florida you will find that
early in the morning is when you are most likely to as stingrays
gather in the shallows during the summer to feed.
We recommend that all beach goers wait till 9:00 a.m. before going
in the water.
If you are hit by a sting ray,stop or control any bleeding,
submerge the injury in as hot as
water as you can stand. Take the individual to an emergency room
to make sure that the barb and or pieces of it are not still in
the wound.
The rumour of being able to "Pee" on it is just that a rumour. We
DO NOT recommend this method.
The above information SHOULD NOT be considered medical advice. For
medical advise after being hit by a ray see a licensed physician.
Swimming Safety
ALL SNORKELERS MUST BY LAW CARRY A DIVER DOWN FLAG.
The red and striped flag is NOT the international Diver Down Flag. The
blue and white swallow tail flag is.
The red and white diver flag is a STATE diver down flag.
Therefore, which dive flag you fly to comply with the regulations
depends on where you are.
In either case, the flag is should be of a certain size and with a stiff
back. To Get familiar with the dive flag regulations subscribe to Boaters
Internet or read the regulations in the CFR.
Boats will not listen for you,
so you must listen for them. When your
underwater keep your ears open.Watch
For jet ski's. Eighty percent of all water accidents involve jet ski's.
ALL BOATS MUST STAY 300 FEET FROM ANY DIVER DOWN FLAG
EXCEPT IN A CHANNEL.IN A CHANNEL ALL BOATS MUST STAY AT
LEAST 100 FEET AWAY. Know The Water, Many local areas
can be very dangerous to swim in due to a very swift current.
The current can be very slack at first but at the change of
the tides can take even a strong swimmer out. Before you dive
in ask a local about the currents. Here are some areas that
are known for their STRONG currents and ARE NOT RECOMMENDED
FOR SWIMMING unless you see an area where a sign is posted
that it is safe. Johns Pass- Most Passes carry a VERY
strong current.
Ft. Desoto.
Clearwater Pass.
Any local bridges- This is for several reasons.
It is not just due to the strong currents but also
due to the ocean life that hangs out in the area of the
bridges. If you are not an experienced SCUBA DIVER don't
swim by bridges.
Area Beaches are the best place to swim as most provide an on
duty lifeguard.
BY 2009 ALMOST ALL MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL REQUIRE BASIC TRAINING THAT GOES BEYOND THE STANDARD "BOAT SAFETY" COURSE.
IN FACT, THE STANDARD "BOAT SAFETY COURSE" WILL NOT SAVE YOU ANY ON YOUR BOAT INSURANCE AND IS NOT ACCEPTED BY ANY OF THE MAJOR
BOAT INSURANCE COMPANIES.
MONEY SAVER ICON (WHEN YOU SEE THIS ICON, IT'S A TIP FROM THE PRO'S TO SAVE YOU MONEY)
Member Menu Links
ALL SNORKELERS MUST BY LAW CARRY A DIVER DOWN FLAG.
