When Lightning Strikes
You’re lying on the beach. It’s a hot and hazy summer day. Then suddenly you hear thunder in the distance. Get moving! The lightning that caused that thunder can kill.
Lightning occurs with ALL thunderstorms. In Florida, thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon but they can occur year round at all hours. Strong winds are also a danger associated with some storms.
Lightning in marine areas is particularly dangerous. Boaters, fishermen, and beachgoers, as well as people on piers, should be alert. Lightning can occur when the sky is blue and there is no rain in sight. Frequently, strikes occur just prior to the onset of a thunderstorm.
Lifeguards watch for signs of approaching storms and are alerted of the latest radar forecasts. Lifeguards will clear patrons off the beach and out of the water when a storm is 6 miles away. If the storm is approaching quickly or if the beach is crowded, beachgoers will be alerted sooner.
Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue offers the following beach tips to avoid being hit by lightning when a storm approaches:
On the beach it’s not unusual to see an object that looks like a harmless blue plastic bag.The curious beachcomber who picks it up or pops it, could be in for a painful shock. That tinted pink, blue, or purple gas filled float, similar to a small oblong balloon, is a Man-of-War, a member of the jellyfish family. It floats on top of the water and has tentacles that may reach up to 50 feet long and dangle below the surface of the water. They are predominately present during the months of November through April. Strong easterly winds carry them to shore and the shoreline.
Each Man-of-War's tentacle is made up of many tiny individual stinging cells which give off a highly toxic poison and affects the nervous system. The stinging cells in the tentacles can live for a long time even after they wash ashore. Be wary and remember, they can sting even when on the beach.
Man-of-War are infamous for their very painful powerful stings, leaving whip-like, red welts on the skin and normally lasting 2-3 days after the initial sting. The pain can last up to an hour and usually stays in the area where the victim is stung. Occasionally the pain will travel to other parts of the body. A sting may lead to an allergic reaction. There can be serious side effects, including tightness in the chest, respiratory difficulty, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and shock, requiring immediate medical attention. Young children, the elderly, and people who are prone to allergic reactions from bee stings and other insect bites are more susceptible to the serious symptoms.
Anyone who suffers a Man-of-War sting should seek the assistance of a lifeguard, who will treat the victim with plain distilled vinegar. If a lifeguard is unavailable, any tentacles visible on the skin of the victim should be carefully pulled off immediately using a towel, stick or anything handy, taking care not to touch them to avoid a secondary sting. Flush the affected area with salt water to remove any adhering tentacles. Do NOT rub the affected area. Hot packs or hot showers also give relief. For persistent itching or skin rash, see a local pharmacist for hydrocortisone ointment or Benadryl.
When the Man-of-War is present, the purple flag will be flown on lifeguard towers.
Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
If caught in a rip current:
Sea Bather’s Eruption more commonly known as sea lice is a condition that has been documented along Florida’s southern Atlantic coast since the 1900’s. At times the sea lice are absent for twenty years, but reappear when the ocean currents shift. The problem is diminishing but still present. Typically sea lice may occur from Mother’s Day thru Father’s Day.
Sea Lice is caused by miniature jellyfish larvae trapped under bathing suits, t-shirts, and even hair when in the water. If pressure occurs from exercising, surf boards, lying on the beach, etc., stinging cells are released causing itching, irritation, and welts. Some people do experience a “prickling” sensation while in the water, though itching usually starts several hours after being in the water and lasts 2-4 days, but can last as long as two weeks! Some people may have more severe reactions such as: headache, fever, and nausea.
At Palm Beach County beaches, sea lice signs will be posted when they are present. Swimmers should immediately shower after swimming, making sure your bathing suit is removed before showering. Bathing suits should be thoroughly washed with detergent and heat dried.
Use any treatment that helps relieve itching. Benadryl and cortisone cream may be helpful. For severe reactions call your physician immediately.
Swimmer’s itch appears as a mild rash caused by an allergic reaction to specific parasites found in certain birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails. Rather than finding a host bird or mammal, the parasite instead burrows into the nearby swimmer’s skin, causing a rash. This problem occurs most frequently during the summer.
Ocean lifeguards are trained to look for dangerous marine life. When they spot a shark in close proximity, all bathers will be called out of the water, and the double red flags will be flying from the lifeguard towers.
Dr. George Burgess, Director of the International Shark Attack Files at the University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History says the chances of interacting with a shark can be reduced if one heeds the following advice:
Everyone loves to come to Florida, go to the beach, and get a tan. But, unfortunately there is no way to tan safely. The sun’s reflective powers on the sand and the water are great and may cause severe damage to your skin if you don’t take a few precautions.
Everyone needs to wear sunscreen daily, regardless of their skin tone. Even on cloudy days you can get sunburn. Clouds don’t filter out Ultra Violet (UV) rays and can give a false sense of protection. You may also be unaware that you’re developing sunburn on cooler or windy days because the temperature or breeze keeps your skin feeling cool on the surface.
The sun’s rays are the strongest between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue staff recommends that you wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing when not swimming. Always use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher year round for all skin types. You should also drink lots of water.
For maximum effectiveness, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before you go outside. This allows the sunscreen to penetrate the skin. Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours and apply liberally. Water resistant products can be rubbed off after towel drying or lose their effectiveness after prolonged swimming or heavy perspiration. For continued protection reapply sunscreen, regardless of the label, when you come out of the water.
Some medications increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can increase sun sensitivity.Sunburn often doesn’t appear until later in the day. If you have sunburn: