ENJOY The Beach SAFELY

With tens of thousands of people swimming in the ocean and pool daily during the summertime, the Myrtle Beach area has an excellent safety record. But it’s important to take proper precautions when near water. Here are a few water safety tips to make sure your visit to our many beaches, pools, and waterparks is as fun and safe as possible.

Beach Safety Tips

• Obey all beach safety flags. Flag meanings can be found on signs posted at every beach access.

• Swim in areas with a lifeguard. Listen and follow lifeguard’s directions and warnings.

• Swim with a buddy

• Swim sober

• Don’t fight the current (and signal for help!)

• Don’t float where you can’t swim

• Watch small children closely

• Don’t swim or surf within 75 yards of piers or people fishing

• Don’t dive into the surf (protect your neck!)

• Leash your boogie board or surfboard

• Ask a lifeguard about ocean water conditions

• People with open wounds or compromised immune systems should avoid public bodies of water

• Know the local rules and laws

Pool and Waterpark Safety Tips

• Watch Children - It is important to not drink alcohol, look at a phone, or nap while your children are swimming.

• Teach Kids to Swim - It is recommended that your child take swimming lessons prior to going on vacation where pools and the beach are the main attractions, even if they teach basic skills in the water.

• Use Life Jackets - Do not use air filled or foam toys, such as water wings, noodles, or inner tubes as they are not designed to keep children safe from drowning.

• Enter Water Feet First - Jumping or diving into too shallow water can cause injuries that are preventable by knowing the depth of the pool.

• Never Swim Alone - Even for confident swimmers, it is important to use a buddy system to prevent an emergency.

• Learn CPR - Everyone, regardless if you have children, should learn CPR for emergency situations.