Gulf Shores Fire Rescue offers Marine Life Safety Swimmer's Guide for summer beach goers

BY TREVOR RITCHIE
Reporter
trevor@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 6/14/24

Gulf Shores Fire Rescue recently released its Marine Life Safety Swimmer's Guide, meant to help educate those who plan on testing the waters as temperatures increase and marine life becomes more …

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Gulf Shores Fire Rescue offers Marine Life Safety Swimmer's Guide for summer beach goers

Posted

Gulf Shores Fire Rescue recently released its Marine Life Safety Swimmer's Guide, meant to help educate those who plan on testing the waters as temperatures increase and marine life becomes more active.

The city offers seasonal lifeguard services from March to October, encouraging both residents and visitors to swim in the designated, protected public swimming areas (Gulf Place, West 6th Street and Lagoon Place) with one of the six full-time beach safety supervisors or seasonal lifeguards present.

If double red flags are flying, it is illegal to enter the Gulf of Mexico under penalty of fine and possible arrest.

"Before heading out to the beach, check for current beach conditions to ensure you have a safe and fun experience," Gulf Shores Beach Safety recommends. "Beach flags are posted at all public beach areas and lifeguard towers in Gulf Shores. Please remember that the absence of beach flags does not constitute safe swimming conditions."

Gulf Shores provided seven important tips to ensure a safe experience in the Gulf:

     1) Always swim near a lifeguard stand. Lifeguards are trained professionals who can provide immediate first aid in the event of an emergency, including marine life encounters.
     2) Avoid swimming at dusk, dawn or night when marine life is most active.
     3) Be extra cautious entering the water when purple flags are flying. The purple Beach Warning Flag indicates the presence of dangerous marine life (jellyfish, sting rays, etc.).
     4) Avoid swimming in areas with bait fish or other food sources.
     5) Don't enter the water with open wounds.
     6) Refrain from wearing shiny jewelry. Reflective objects can be mistaken as a food source.
     7) Shuffle your feet when entering the water. Instead of lifting your feet to step forward, shuffle your feet across the sand to avoid stepping on a stingray or startling them, which may cause them to sting you.

"By following the tips above, you can minimize your chances of having an uncomfortable encounter with marine life," Gulf Shores Fire Rescue wrote. "If you have an emergency or witness one while visiting our beaches, please flag down a Gulf Shores Beach Rescue lifeguard or call 911."