Beach Safety

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Beach safety recommendations

Never swim alone.
Check-in with lifeguard for current conditions.
Always swim near a lifeguard.
Know your limits. When in doubt, don’t go out!
Keep constant watch of children under your supervision.

Lifeguard tower locations

Tower 1 – Army Navy Academy
Tower 2 – Beech St.
Tower 3 – Grand Ave.
Tower 4 –Oak St.

Please note that tower locations may be adjusted due to weather and environmental conditions.

Hours of operation

The towers are staffed 365 day a year during daytime hours and have after-hours response capability. The number of lifeguards on duty varies with the seasons and weather conditions.

Beach rules

No glass is allowed on the beach. Broken glass can quickly ruin someone’s day.
Campfires and BBQs that use wood or charcoal are not allowed.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Have a good and safe time.

Beach safety topics

Rip currents

Rip currents are extremely dangerous and can lead to drowning or the need for a lifeguard rescue.

Before you enter the ocean, check for signs of a rip current:

Channel of churning, foaming or choppy water
Different colored water than the surrounding water
Breaks in incoming waves

If you do find yourself stuck in a rip, you can stay safe by doing this:

Don’t swim against the rip current - you will exhaust yourself
Attempt to swim parallel to the shore to get out of the rip current
If you can’t escape, float on your back or tread water and go with the current
Stay calm - Most rip tides generally dissipate within 50 to 100 feet of the shoreline

How to spot a rip current

How to escape a rip current

Stingrays

Stingrays have long whip-like tails with a barb located on the end that punctures the skin and secretes venom

Look at the sand as you enter the water
Do the stingray shuffle! Shuffle your feet as you walk to alert resting stingrays, giving them time to move away
Although it may hurt a lot, it’s typically not an emergency. Soak your foot in hot water to soothe the pain and neutralize the venom

How to avoid getting stung:

Links and resources

Carlsbad, CA