When you have the desire to surf, you must take the right precautions to ensure that your safety is not compromised. If you want to ensure that your surfing experience is safe and fun, there are some great tips and advice that you should keep in mind. These tips will also help you avoid getting into trouble, such as falling into a rip current or stung by a sting ray.
Avoid getting stung by stingrays
If you're planning on surfing in the ocean, there are steps you can take to avoid getting stung by stingrays. Most surfers who cross paths with stingrays do so because they don't keep a safe distance.
Stingrays are flat swimmers, and they are most common in warm, shallow coastal waters. They live in freshwater, but they are also found in saltwater. A stingray's venom causes muscle tissue to contract, which in turn causes extreme pain. The sting can last for an hour to 90 minutes.
While a stingray's venom is not fatal, it can cause a variety of injuries, including nausea, swelling, and infection. It's essential to seek treatment as soon as possible after a stingray sting.
Stingrays are usually friendly to humans, but it's best to stay out of the water if you get stung. Even if you don't think the sting will hurt, call 911 to have, it checked out.
Avoid getting caught in a rip current
A rip current is a strong surface water current that flows in a horizontal direction. These currents are typically found near surf beaches and can be dangerous. You need to know what to do if you find yourself in one.
The first thing you need to do is to call a lifeguard for help. Lifeguards are trained to rescue people from rips. You can also ask other swimmers to give you a hand.
If you are not able to reach a lifeguard, you should try to signal for help. Another way to do this is to raise your hands and shout for help. It's important to remember that panic is a major cause of death in a rip.
In addition to calling for help, you should swim away from the current. If you are unable to do this, tread water or back float. This will give you enough time to float to the surface.
Protect your head if you fall off your board
If you are a beginner, you may feel that you are helpless when you wipe out. However, a little practice and precaution can keep you safe. One of the first things you should do when you are on the water is to watch out for waves. You don't want to get caught in a wave and have your board thrown into you.
Also, you don't want to fall under a breaking wave and be pushed under the water. The best way to avoid these situations is to paddle parallel to the shore. This will allow you to catch the wave before it breaks and pushes you under.
While you are in the water, the best thing to do is keep your hands over your face. That may sound silly, but you're never sure if your board is above you or not.
It's also a good idea to have a foamie on hand. These can help cushion your head if you do happen to hit your head on the board. Check out here to know more about safe surf.
Avoid approaching surfing by yourself
If you are a beginner, there are a few things that you need to be aware of to ensure your safety as you surf. Fortunately, there are many experienced surfers who can help you avoid some of the more dangerous situations.
One of the most important things to remember is that the waves are limited. This means that if everyone is hogging the waves, you will not get your turn. The best way to deal with this is to take turns. Once you reach your wave, you can let other people in.
Be sure to keep an eye out for sharks, as they are often present in saltwater bodies. Sharks like warm and cold water; if you see one, move your arms and legs on the board so that it doesn't attack you.
Likewise, don't back paddle. If you don't paddle back, you can cause a lot of unnecessary damage to the waves. You can also cause trouble for others.
