My heart sank last Friday when I passed 94th St on June 13 and saw that it was blocked
by numerous emergency vehicles near the beach. Never a good sight. My worst
fears were confirmed when, later that night, I heard that a 17 year old drowned
as a result of getting caught in a rip current. This happened two weeks earlier
at the beach at 137th St. to an 18 year old. As a mother, I can only imagine
getting that phone call and my heart goes out to the families of these young
victims.
Here is some helpful information from the University of Delaware's Sea
Grant College Program on what to do if you find yourself caught in a Rip
Current: http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/ripcurrents/safety/index.html
Recently, there was a report of a teen in Cape Henlopen who was attacked by
a shark. Looks like he's going to be o.k. I found a record of shark attacks on
the Delaware coast and it looks like there have only been 3 since 1837 and none
were fatal. Since shark attacks are such a rare occurrence in Delaware/Maryland
waters, it seems that we really don't have much to worry about.
However beautiful the ocean may be, we have to remember that, when we swim
in it, it's not like swimming in a pool or lake. We have to be prepared for the
unexpected - even when we're standing in water that's only up to our knees. If
we know the dangers, know how to manage them, and swim only in areas that are
guarded by beach patrol personnel, we should be able to enjoy a safe and
refreshing dip in the sea.
No comments:
Post a Comment