Although swimming at the beaches on the Gulf Coast makes for a great getaway whether you live minutes away in Tampa or St. Pete, or you’re a snowbird visiting the state, there are several risks that could ruin the fun. If you take precautions, however, you can help ensure your trip goes without a hitch.

One of the most obvious dangers with visiting a Florida beach is the risk of sunburn. It isn’t unusual to see locals and tourists alike sporting lobster-red skin following a day in the sun. Before you ever arrive at the beach, remember that you need to protect yourself against the harmful rays of the sun. Although you may realize that repeated sunburns can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, it only takes one blistering sunburn as a child or teen to elevate your risk substantially. To combat this hazard, the first step is rethink the time you plan to enjoy the sand and the surf. In Florida, you’ll experience stronger rays of sunlight from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is high in the sky. Whether planning around this block of time is an option for you and your family, you’ll want to be sure to slather on some sunscreen. This step may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll want to ensure that your sun protection is adequate. That means that 15 minutes before you start basking in the sun, you should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to all exposed skin. In addition to paying attention to your neck, ears, and other oft-forgotten areas, you’ll need to apply protective lip balm to keep the sun from scorching your lips. Even if you’ve carefully applied your UV ray-deflecting armor, realize that it is only temporary: You should reapply it every two hours or in a shorter span on time if you’re swimming.

Once you get into the water, you’ll need to anticipate a whole new set of issues. First, plan to take your dip before dusk or after dawn because these are two prime feeding times for the wildlife off Florida’s coast. While these periods may provide excellent opportunities for fishing, you’ll probably want to avoid unwanted nibbles in dark water. Even when it’s bright daylight and the water’s so clear you can make out your toes in chest-high water, you should be careful when venturing into the water because stingrays enjoy the warm Florida water as much as the beachgoers do. To avoid stepping on these creatures – an action that often results in a painful barb lodged in a leg of an unsuspecting visitor – you should do the Stingray Shuffle. That means dragging your feet along the sand as you step into the water rather than stepping as you normal would. The stingrays, which hide under the sand and can be virtually invisible to the untrained eye, can detect the vibrations created by the shuffling motion, and they will quickly move to another location.

Another unseen risk that may be familiar to experienced swimmers is that of rip currents. Compared to other regions of the world, the Gulf Coast experiences relatively few rip currents, but there is a chance that you could be swept away in one if you aren’t careful. The important to remember is that these hazards often kill people through simple exhaustion. Instead of fighting against the powerful ocean current, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of danger. Then you can simply swim back to shore unscathed.

Even with these possible risks, when you’re armed with knowledge, you’ll likely have a fun beach trip that you’ll remember fondly.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to recreation.

John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to several notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including recreation. http://www.healthgrades.com/group-directory/florida-fl/tampa/laser-spine-institute-f0fe265e

Author Bio: John Soland is an experienced writer who has contributed to a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to recreation.

Category: Recreation
Keywords: beach, tampa, beach safety, skin protection