Ocean Safety Tips

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY:

*Do swim only when and where there are lifeguards on duty. Lifeguards are on duty at Carolina, Kure, and Wrightsville beaches through Labor Day weekend.

*Do pay attention to and heed lifeguard flags and whistles. If you hear a lifeguard whistle it may be a warning to get out of the water.

*Do be aware of surroundings.

*Children should always swim with adult supervision.

*If you do not know how to swim, use a lifesaving device.

*Do swim in groups when possible; never enter the ocean alone.

*Do not wander too far from shore.

*Do not swim near piers, dredging sites or fishing vessels.

*Avoid ocean at dusk and dawn and twilight hours when marine life tend to feed.

*Avoid areas where fish are running in schools. If birds are diving for fish that could be a sign there may be an abundance of fish.

*Do not wear dangly or shiny jewelry.

*Avoid excessive splashing.

*Do not harass or taunt marine life.

*Do not allow pets in the water.

*Do pay attention and heed any warning signs along the beach.

*If the current pulls, swim parallel to the shoreline until it no longer pulls.

*Do not enter the ocean at night.

*Do not enter the ocean if you hear thunder or see lightning.

*Do not enter the water if you notice a potential danger. Report your observations to the nearest lifeguard or call 911 if there is no lifeguard on duty.

Following is information about the Ocean Rescue Programs for Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher:

OCEAN SAFETY / OCEAN RESCUE

Public beaches in New Hanover County (Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area) are lifeguard-protected through each town/organization’s highly regarded ocean rescue program. Following are the hours, days, and other details about lifeguard stations and flags. 

CAROLINA BEACH

The Carolina Beach lifeguard season begins Memorial weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend.  The Town of Carolina Beach has 20 lifeguard stands. Lifeguards are on duty Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Friday through Sunday and on holidays. Carolina Beach is a USLA Advanced Certified Beach.  Lifeguards train and exercise daily for the safety of its citizens and visitors.

Source: https://www.carolinabeach.org/government/departments/fire-rescue/ocean-rescue

Carolina Beach Flags:

Green - safe swimming conditions

Yellow - moderate swimming conditions

Red - dangerous swimming conditions

Purple - dangerous marine wildlife (jelly fish, schooling fish, sharks)

Black/no flag – lifeguard not on duty

KURE BEACH

Kure Beach Ocean Rescue provides 10 lifeguard towers. Ocean Rescue personnel are on guard along its beach strand from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. For your safety, watch for these flags on the beach near lifeguard stations:

Source: http://www.townofkurebeach.org/ocean-safety.aspx

FORT FISHER STATE RECREATION AREA:

Lifeguard service is provided in a designated swim area at the state park from Memorial Day through Labor Day, every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Please obey the warning signs and flags: A green flag indicates relatively calm conditions. A yellow flag indicates rougher conditions and to swim with caution. A red flag indicates severe conditions. Swimming is not permitted under red flag conditions.

Source: https://www.ncparks.gov/fort-fisher-state-recreation-area/feesfaqsrules

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH

Wrightsville Beach Fire Department's Ocean Rescue Squad is responsible for ensuring public safety on the beach strand. The squad is led by an Ocean Rescue Director and a Lifeguard Captain who are also full-time firefighters/EMTs. The Ocean Rescue Squad employs 28 seasonal lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day, staffing 13 lifeguard stands from 10 a.m.  until 5:00 p.m. , seven days a week. The WB Ocean Rescue program is certified as an advanced lifesaving agency by the U.S. Lifesaving Association. The beach patrol includes all-terrain vehicles, a personal watercraft and two 4x4 trucks. All seasonal ocean rescue personnel are trained as both open water lifeguards and emergency medical responders according to ULSA advanced agency standards. Wrightsville Beach lifeguards are supported by full-time fire department personnel who are certified EMTs. Lifeguards also assist bathers by providing public information, recovering lost children, and enforcing beach regulations.

For Wrightsville Beach lifeguard stand locations:  http://www.towb.org/208/Public-Restrooms-Access 

Please pay close attention to the signal flags flown from lifeguard stands. The color of the flag indicates the water conditions observed in the area. Regardless of the color of the signal flags displayed, hazards may be present in the ocean at any time.

Wrightsville Beach lifeguard flags:

Sources:

http://www.towb.org/156/Ocean-Rescue 

http://www.towb.org/157/Rip-Current-Safety 

RELATED LINKS:

For information on ways to reduce risk of a shark encounter:
www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/Attacks/relariskreduce.htm

For information about dangerous currents: 
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/