EDITORIAL: Exercise caution at beaches

“Careful child! De Sea ain’t got no back door!”

Countless Barbadians would have likely heard this refrain from their parents or grandparents as they were growing up, as they got ready to leave the house on route to the beach for a sea bath. The more mature folks would vociferously issue this word of caution to the youth, as a stark reminder that as much fun as a sea bath holds for the average person, there is always danger lurking as the possibility of drowning always exists in that vast body of water.

There was talk sometime in the past about a reduction in the number of lifeguards available to patrol the beaches and it was noted then that sea bathers would likely have to take greater responsibility for themselves whilst sea bathing. It would be nice to have a full account of where we stand now with our lifeguards, in terms of numbers and which beaches are lifeguard approved.

Safety messages

That said, we must focus more on the matter of safety at our beaches, given that we are losing too many Barbadians and at times visitors, to the clutches of the sea. Whilst we may focus a lot on the youth in our safety messages, adults must not be left out of these talks as the best swimmers can at times get into difficulty.

The National Conservation Commission’s (NCC) Lifeguard Service has at times taken the lead in this matter, urging all sea bathers, whether young or old, to go to the beaches manned by lifeguards for their own safety. It has also been noted that beach users should also adhere to all instructions given by lifeguards and observe the flags posted at beaches, which issue warnings of possible or imminent danger.

Be knowledgeable

When it comes to the matter of safety at the beach, indeed all sea bathers should be knowledgeable about the dos and don’ts of sea bathing and not take anything for granted. As said earlier, sea bathers should swim only at
a lifeguard-protected beach and within the designated swimming area and they should never swim alone. By following the latter rule, you can ensure that you are better prepared to handle any unforeseen circumstances that arise. You should also have a system of communication set up, to ensure everybody is accounted for at varying intervals.

Beach-goers should also swim where the water is manageable. A little sand in the pants will not harm you, but ingesting large volumes of water will certainly be to your detriment. So ignore pressure from friends to “swim out”, even if you are a good swimmer. Sea bathers should also know when to call it quits, especially when they get tired. That final swim may prove to be detrimental.

Whilst we cannot account for the unforeseen, it is always best to exercise extra caution when sea bathing. We cannot afford to lose any more of our citizens or those coming to our shores for “sun, sea and sand”, to the sea. So remember to apply all the safety rules you are knowledgeable about and do your best to stay safe at the beach, as you enjoy all our beaches have to offer.