JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – More than 500 people were rescued at Florida beaches over the 4th of July weekend, and Ocean Rescue wants you to understand the dangers of the water. The summer brings thousands of people out to the beach, but do swimmers really know what they are getting into when they get in the water?
“It’s not a pool. It’s a completely different form of swimming and water,” Zach Houston, Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Captain.
Houston watches swimmers from above, they had a few rescues this weekend.
“For us, we love the job. It’s a lifestyle for us. The people of the community, we just need to understand more about the ocean and what they’re getting involved in,” Houston said.
RELATED: More lifeguards on beach as 4th of July holiday approaches | 4 swimmers rescued at Crescent Beach, 1 in critical condition
JFRD Ocean Rescue says people often underestimate the power of the water. Here’s what you need to know so you’re not next.
The water doesn’t care if you are a lifeguard, great swimmer or a kid. Rip currents are usually a body of water moving against crashing waves. Don’t panic, you could put yourself and the lifeguard trying to save you at greater risk.
Swim parallel to the shore, and it helps to be near a lifeguard post. Some people don’t risk it. “I don’t, I’m afraid of the water, I don’t go in often,” beachgoer Dakota McDowell said. “I’m scared of it, I’m afraid that I’m gonna get pulled out there and I’ll never come back.”
Lifeguards aren’t saying don’t get into the water. Instead, educate yourself and your family, practice prevention and help keep you and everyone around you safe.
Lifeguards encourage parents to not rely on them as the first line of protecting for your kids in the water, it should be you.