Be Prepared For Any Eventuality When At The Beach
Vacation time and hot summer weather usually mean that people will be anxious to get to the beach to enjoy the sun and cool off in the water. Although most expeditions to the beach are uneventful, there are hazards of various degrees associated with a day at the beach, whether the body of water you visit is fresh or marine. Being sure to take along a well-equipped first aid kit can keep minor injuries from ruining the fun, and make it more likely that more serious incidents will have a happy outcome.
Sunburn
Many people go to the beach with the express purpose of getting a tan. Often, they wind up getting sunburn. Sunburn occurs when the ultraviolet rays of the sun literally burn the skin. Someone can suffer both first and second degree burns from the sun, and will also be paving the way for skin cancer later in life. Sunscreen can help prevent sunburn, but in the event a burn does occur get the person out of the sun and apply cold compresses to the burn. Use the water available, the ocean or lake, to help cool the sunburn, too. Aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers can help to relieve the pain, and a topical lotion containing aloe vera will also sooth sunburn.
Heat
Although there is plenty of water nearby, it is easy for someone to overheat at the beach. A combination of high temperatures and dehydration can produce heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Heat cramps cause painful seizing up of the muscles in the legs and abdomen, but can be relieved by getting the person into the shade and providing them with fruit juice or sports drinks. These will help to restore electrolytes lost through sweating and return the body’s mineral balance to normal.
Heat exhaustion occurs if the person continues activities in the sun. Heat exhaustion will cause not only cramps, but nausea and vomiting, and the person will be pale. Sweat will be pouring off of them as the body attempts to cool itself. Get the person into the shade, and if an air conditioned building is nearby, take them there. Give sport or energy drinks, and cool them by using cool compresses. They can also be taken to the water, but be sure to have someone with them at all time.
If the condition progresses to heat stroke, call 911. This person will not be sweating, but will be bright red. There will be an irregular heartbeat and high body temperature. Cool the person fast, immerse them in the ocean or lake while waiting for emergency personnel. Let them sip energy drinks, unless vomiting is present.
Hypothermia
It may seem odd that hypothermia could occur at the beach, but long immersion in the water can draw away the body’s heat. Most people would find water below 80 F to be uncomfortably cold, but even the range considered safe, 82 F to 86 F, can cause hypothermia for children and adults with medical conditions. Once the temperature of the body core falls below 95 F, the person can be considered to be hypothermic. Anyone who begins to shiver or turn blue while in the water, should be taken out immediately and warmed. Get dry clothing onto them, but do it gently as rough handling can cause heart arrhythmias. Warm beverages, non-alcoholic only, can help to restore normal body temperature. If the person’s speech is slurred or they are confused or go into shock, call 911 immediately.
Near-Drowning
Thousands of people drown in North America every year, the majority of them in fresh water. Lakes and rivers can be even more dangerous to swimmers than ocean beaches, despite the fear of rip tides. It can be very difficult to detect when someone is in danger of drowning, as they hardly exhibit any movement. When someone in trouble has been pulled from the water, they may exhibit such near-drowning signs as being unable to breathe properly, blue lips, pale coloration, and drowsiness – at times the person will not be breathing at all. This person in is danger of suffocation and rescue breathing should be started immediately, even if the procedure must be given while still in the water. After getting the person to land, have someone call 911, and begin CPR. Alternate 2 rescue breaths with 30 chest compressions and continue until rescue workers arrive.
|
