thedrifter
07-26-08, 06:38 AM
Making waves with beach safety
7/24/2008 By Lance Cpl. Meghan J. McNabb , 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —It’s a scorching hot day with the blistering sun beating down on you. You decide to squelch the heat with a day at the beach, swimming in the refreshing water. As you’re enjoying the surf and waves splashing on you, suddenly you are sucked under the water. Fear and panic rage as you lose all sense of where you are and struggle to reach the surface. What you are experiencing is a rip current and only one of many problems people face when enjoying the beach.
“According to a national survey, eighty percent of all rescues by lifeguards are related to rip currents,” said Lt. Cmdr. Paul B. Durand, group safety officer for 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Durand added that 80 percent of all drownings are also related to rip currents.
Why are so many rescues and drownings related to rip currents? The problem, Durand said, is that people panic and struggle to swim back to shore.
“You are supposed to swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current,” explained Durand. “Once you are out of the current, you can swim back to shore. People struggle and wear themselves out, and next thing they know they’re hundreds of feet off the coast and too exhausted to swim anymore.”
Rip currents may be one obvious threat at the beach, but some common things that people forget to worry about are personal protection, such as sun block, sun glasses with an ultraviolet light filter, shoes or sandals and proper hydration.
“UV light is strongest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so you should wear sun block with a (skin protection factor) of 15 or higher,” explained Durand. “Sun exposure under the age of 18 gives you a greater risk of skin cancer, and sunburns after the age of 20 give you a greater risk of skin cancer.”
Often times, when people are swimming in the cool ocean water, they don’t feel overheated and so they forget to drink enough water.
“Make sure you drink plenty of water at the beach,” Durand commented. “A lot of times people don’t notice that they’re getting dehydrated and that can lead to heat stress.”
As the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps continue to spotlight safety in and throughout the Corps, subordinate units are focusing on bridging the gap between safety and fun.
Recently, Combat Logistics Regiment 27 held a beach bash at Onslow Beach where they promoted safety in a fun atmosphere while enjoying each other’s company.
“In order for the safety plan to work, (noncommissioned officers) have to mentor and guide young Marines,” said Col. Vincent A. Coglianese, CLR-27’s commanding officer. “A colonel standing in front of a formation has little impact. Where the rubber meets the road is with the NCOs: they are the keys to safety.”
Coglianese said his experience growing up near the New Jersey beach has taught him how to spot rip currents and how to respond.
"The biggest problem in drowning is rip currents," Coglianese said. "The other problem is drinking; when you drink [alcohol] you increase your risk factor and lose your sense of judgment. There is no greater concern for a leader than losing Marines."
Ellie
7/24/2008 By Lance Cpl. Meghan J. McNabb , 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —It’s a scorching hot day with the blistering sun beating down on you. You decide to squelch the heat with a day at the beach, swimming in the refreshing water. As you’re enjoying the surf and waves splashing on you, suddenly you are sucked under the water. Fear and panic rage as you lose all sense of where you are and struggle to reach the surface. What you are experiencing is a rip current and only one of many problems people face when enjoying the beach.
“According to a national survey, eighty percent of all rescues by lifeguards are related to rip currents,” said Lt. Cmdr. Paul B. Durand, group safety officer for 2nd Marine Logistics Group. Durand added that 80 percent of all drownings are also related to rip currents.
Why are so many rescues and drownings related to rip currents? The problem, Durand said, is that people panic and struggle to swim back to shore.
“You are supposed to swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current,” explained Durand. “Once you are out of the current, you can swim back to shore. People struggle and wear themselves out, and next thing they know they’re hundreds of feet off the coast and too exhausted to swim anymore.”
Rip currents may be one obvious threat at the beach, but some common things that people forget to worry about are personal protection, such as sun block, sun glasses with an ultraviolet light filter, shoes or sandals and proper hydration.
“UV light is strongest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so you should wear sun block with a (skin protection factor) of 15 or higher,” explained Durand. “Sun exposure under the age of 18 gives you a greater risk of skin cancer, and sunburns after the age of 20 give you a greater risk of skin cancer.”
Often times, when people are swimming in the cool ocean water, they don’t feel overheated and so they forget to drink enough water.
“Make sure you drink plenty of water at the beach,” Durand commented. “A lot of times people don’t notice that they’re getting dehydrated and that can lead to heat stress.”
As the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps continue to spotlight safety in and throughout the Corps, subordinate units are focusing on bridging the gap between safety and fun.
Recently, Combat Logistics Regiment 27 held a beach bash at Onslow Beach where they promoted safety in a fun atmosphere while enjoying each other’s company.
“In order for the safety plan to work, (noncommissioned officers) have to mentor and guide young Marines,” said Col. Vincent A. Coglianese, CLR-27’s commanding officer. “A colonel standing in front of a formation has little impact. Where the rubber meets the road is with the NCOs: they are the keys to safety.”
Coglianese said his experience growing up near the New Jersey beach has taught him how to spot rip currents and how to respond.
"The biggest problem in drowning is rip currents," Coglianese said. "The other problem is drinking; when you drink [alcohol] you increase your risk factor and lose your sense of judgment. There is no greater concern for a leader than losing Marines."
Ellie