Swimming in the Ocean in San Diego: How to Avoid Injuries

Rip currents, jellyfish, and shark attacks — oh my!

The azure ocean around San Diego offers a wealth of aquatic delights, from kayaking to open-water swimming. However, anybody visiting this coastal city must also know the dangers of ocean swimming. Mother Nature is mighty. You cannot control her—all you can do is avoid potential injuries.

The fun of ocean swimming must be balanced with knowledge of how to approach this vast expanse of water.

If you are unsure where to start, then read on.

Safety Tip #1: Learn to Swim Around Riptides

Beach lifeguards are there to save you. They are an essential part of the beach scene, but your best bet is to ensure you never need them by having strong swimming skills.

If you have never been to the ocean, prepare for a beast unlike anything you will find at your local pool. Ocean swimming beginners must know, at a minimum, how to swim, as well as the effects of oceanic currents such as rip tides.

A rip tide is one of the main reasons lifeguards have to save someone. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a rip current is a powerful channel of fast-moving (eight feet per second, to be exact) water that can pull you deeper into the ocean. 

If you are caught in one, do not fight it. Your instincts will naturally be to swim straight back to shore. This  will exhaust and then drown you. Instead, swim parallel to the beach. Once you feel you are free from the rip tide, swim at an angle back to shore. It will take some time, so go slow but steady.

Safety Tip #2: Have Layers of Protection

And that does not just mean sunscreen. Protection also means swimming with other people, keeping constant vigilance over children, and staying within lifeguard-protected beach areas.

A life jacket is always a good idea for strong and beginning swimmers, even if you stay in shallow waters. 

Injuries can be sneaky, coming in unexpected forms, such as heat stroke or blistering sunburns. To protect yourself, prepare your body for the ocean by drinking plenty of fresh water, swimming with others, and wearing appropriate gear, such as a wetsuit.

Getting hurt is par for the course if you decide to drink alcohol before ocean swimming. Leave the Pina Coladas  for the party after.

Safety Tip #3: Know the Weather Conditions

Oceanic water conditions are in constant flux. One day might bring cold water and warm sand, 

while the next could usher in roiling thunderstorms and low tides. Preventing injuries starts before you are even on the beach by reading the day’s weather forecast and tide reports.

Do not go into open waters when there are large waves, lightning, or frigid waters.

Safety Tip #4: Be Wary of Marine Life

The beach is a lovely getaway for you, but it is also the home of other animals on this planet. Most sea creatures are harmless. Pelicans, sea lions, and leatherback sea turtles are just living their life. In fact, humans are usually a danger to them.

Other marine life poses more of a threat. Half of all shark attacks occur in the United States, with Australia a far second. 

Over the last ten years, San Diego has had only 20 shark attacks. It is their rarity that makes shark attacks so scary. When they do happen, the event captures local and often national news. A shark attack is always a possibility, but a small one. More people die every year from falling out of bed than from total shark attacks in the 21st century. 

If you are unlucky and get attacked by one, know what to do. 

Jellyfish pack a fierce but non-lethal sting. A jab from one will be painful and cause redness and swelling, but it is usually just an irritation instead of an injury. Talk to the beach lifeguards to gauge the jellyfish in your area. They are excellent sources  of aquatic conditions. 

Safety Tip #5: Be Cautious of Cold Water

The ocean is not a jacuzzi. It can be cold, paralyzingly so. The initial shock of coldness might be enough to freeze you, making swimming nearly impossible.

Enter the ocean little by little. Go up to your ankles, knees, and hips, slowly acclimating to the cold every step of the way. Sometimes, it is refreshing to plunge right into the ocean’s chilly depths, but only if you are prepared for how cold it can be. 

Preparation Precedes Enjoying the Beach

Before you go to the beach, take the time to understand its inherent risks. Knowledge of ocean water safety must come before a lovely day of freestyle backstrokes amongst the waves.

Even with experience, injuries are not entirely avoidable. You may still get stung by a jellyfish. A rip current might still fling you into a sandbar. If your beach day has given you an injury, call The Advocates.

We are San Diego personal injury lawyers who are well-versed in getting people a settlement from unexpected ocean injuries. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.

Everybody needs at least one day on the beach during their lives. If you are unlucky and get hurt, you deserve to be recompensed for your injuries. You deserve an Advocate.