***Swimmers being rescued***

[SWGB]

There are currently Fire, EMS, and WCSO at the Dunes of Seagrove. It appears that a lifeguard is in the water attempting to reach someone.

Red Flags mean do not go in the WATER!!

[steyou]

3 guys in trouble. 2 made it and 1 did not. 1 drowning.

[Grayton Girl]

Oh my! This is horrible news. I was at Grayton a couple of hours ago, and I was stunned to see 5 or 6 people in the water, pretty far out, playing in the waves. They were standing on a sandbar that had been created way offshore by the outflow of Western Lake, but one false move and they would have been carried off the sandbar and into the deep and very rough water.

I saw all of this from the porch of my dad's house, but now I feel like I should have gone down to the beach and spoken with these people. If I see this happening again, I will speak my mind. The vacationers can just laugh at me if they want to, or tell me to mind my own business, but I will at least have a clear conscience.

The Gulf is extremely rough and dangerous right now. The only people who should be in the water are surfers who are attached to their boards with leashes.

[scooterbug44]

Very sad way to start or end a vactation!

I wish people would obey the damn flags instead of putting their lives and their rescuers lives at risk!

[Pirate]

Very sad way to start or end a vactation!

I wish people would obey the damn flags instead of putting their lives and their rescuers lives at risk!

I was actually there and I have to be honest, the rescue was one swimmer, a lifeguard, who made a herculean effort at rescuing these folks and was by himself in the water. I am not sure of the circumstances that the 3 arrived where they did but it looked like 2 of them had boogie boards. I was stunned to see no one from the FD or Sherriffs office with a paddle board or any type of water rescue equipment deployed. It was at least 30 minutes for a PWC to arrive and it came after the rescue was over. I am so sorry for the family and my thoughts are with them. Double red flag actually means don't go in the water and it is still single red. Pretty easy to say obey the flags, hard to see a man die under any circumstances.

[SHELLY]

With such a beautiful day (finally), I tried to spend a relaxing day on the beach, but couldn't relax because stupid parents were letting their little kids play in the surf and I felt it was my duty to do the watching for them. You can't relax while you're in the "life saving" mode. Had to pack up and leave.

So sad to hear that someone died today.

.

[Lake Eastern]

Very sad way to start or end a vactation!

I wish people would obey the damn flags instead of putting their lives and their rescuers lives at risk!

Amen! As a teenager I worked in Myrtle Beach, SC and I was shocked at the numbers of drownings and recues we did. Having grown up on Walton's Gulf of Mexico beaches where it seemed rare to have a drowning. It actually seemed more happened to the fishermen and boaters in the Bay. I just assumed it was b/c it was the Atlantic Ocean. I guess it is just the masses of people who now come here to vacation. Such a tragedy!

[SWGB]

I was actually there and I have to be honest, the rescue was one swimmer, a lifeguard, who made a herculean effort at rescuing these folks and was by himself in the water. I am not sure of the circumstances that the 3 arrived where they did but it looked like 2 of them had boogie boards. I was stunned to see no one from the FD or Sherriffs office with a paddle board or any type of water rescue equipment deployed. It was at least 30 minutes for a PWC to arrive and it came after the rescue was over. I am so sorry for the family and my thoughts are with them. Double red flag actually means don't go in the water and it is still single red. Pretty easy to say obey the flags, hard to see a man die under any circumstances.

Single Red means the following:

RED: HIGH HAZARD - High Surf and/or Strong Currents

That is from SWFD - HOME. Personally it reads to me that the water is closed to those that do not have an incredibly good swimming ability or those with flotation devices i.e. surf boards.

Yes, it's sad that someone was so intent on going in that they basically made the decision to end their life for a dip in the gulf. Not the brightest move IMO and a real great example for kids, "Hey we paid to come on vacation and mother nature didn't cooperate. Oh well we paid we'll go".

[scooterbug44]

I was actually there and I have to be honest, the rescue was one swimmer, a lifeguard, who made a herculean effort at rescuing these folks and was by himself in the water. I am not sure of the circumstances that the 3 arrived where they did but it looked like 2 of them had boogie boards. I was stunned to see no one from the FD or Sherriffs office with a paddle board or any type of water rescue equipment deployed. It was at least 30 minutes for a PWC to arrive and it came after the rescue was over. I am so sorry for the family and my thoughts are with them. Double red flag actually means don't go in the water and it is still single red. Pretty easy to say obey the flags, hard to see a man die under any circumstances.

Single red doesn't mean it's safe to swim - it means "stop, don't go in the water." That's why it's the same color as a "stop" sign, traffic "stoplight"etc.

Lifeguards on the beach are a recent occurrence, and it sounds like they are doing a great job. Hopefully the program will continue to expand. Often sending others into the water who are not suited for it just increases the tragedy potential, so I can understand why Fire or Sheriff's Dept. would not go in.

I constantly say "obey the flags" because I'm a former lifeguard who had water safety beaten into me by responsible parents. I am a much stronger swimmer than the majority of the tourists and I would not go into the water on a red flag day. We have many pools and coastal lakes for people who just must go into some water on red flag days.

Noone ever wants anybody to drown or be in harm's way - it's a horrible thing, that's why it is very frustrating to constantly see people ignoring the warnings and dangers.

[kurt]

Four pulled from SoWal rip currents | rip, swimmers, south - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Four pulled from SoWal rip currents

Comments 4 | Recommend 0
April 3, 2009 - 6:44 PM
Andrew Gant
Daily News
Lifeguards pulled four swimmers from rip currents Friday as red flags flew over South Walton beaches.

There were two separate rescues, the first just after 11:20 a.m. at 4190 CR-30A. That swimmer was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.

By about 1:20 p.m., three more people were trapped in a rip current about 50 yards off shore at Seagrove Beach.

A South Walton Fire lifeguard from a tower about two miles away drove an ATV, then ran the last half-mile to get past the washed-out Eastern Lake and into the gulf. He used two rescue buoys and fought his way back to shore with all three swimmers.

Two of them were transported to a hospital, one in cardiac arrest.

Rescuers urged swimmers to heed red-flag warnings.

[Bobby J]

We have a busy tourist week ahead and the seas are supposed to stay big for another solid week! The lifeguards are going to have their hands full.

[Lynnie]

Four pulled from SoWal rip currents | rip, swimmers, south - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Oh, this is awful news! I hope there is no more of this~~~

[John R]

More chuckleheads who think the flag system doesn't apply to them. The system is in place for a reason. How much more plain can it be made? It seems like those who don't live here know more about how tides and currents work than those who do. If you go out, or allow your family to go out in the water when conditions are beyond your or their capabilities, you have only yourself to blame if disaster strikes.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/all-about-so...violators.html

[scooterbug44]

Someone under the age of ten told me that it wasn't safe to go in the water (I was planning a ninja mission across the outfall to remove a tent), so I am pretty secure in my assessment that the flag system isn't too difficult to understand.

[Pirate]

Someone under the age of ten told me that it wasn't safe to go in the water (I was planning a ninja mission across the outfall to remove a tent), so I am pretty secure in my assessment that the flag system isn't too difficult to understand.

More chuckleheads who think the flag system doesn't apply to them. The system is in place for a reason. How much more plain can it be made? It seems like those who don't live here know more about how tides and currents work than those who do. If you go out, or allow your family to go out in the water when conditions are beyond your or their capabilities, you have only yourself to blame if disaster strikes.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/all-about-so...violators.html

Chuckleheads and ten year olds, great points. This man is dead, are you being serious? The response by the county to someone dying was inadequate, that is my problem. It isn't the responders fault, it's just a bad policy that needs to be corrected in a beach town. You are happy someone died and it proves a point? I can't even express here what I think of a response that thoughtless. No one said hop right in the red flag surf and feel wonderful about it. This is a beach with swimmers and they could certainly get caught in a rip current in a yellow flag almost as easily. If it is your loved one and they die because there is no rescue equipment or enough properly trained responders, I won't make fun of you, I promise.

[30A Skunkape]

Chuckleheads and ten year olds, great response. This man is dead people are you being serious? The response by the county to someone dying was inadequate, that is my problem. You are happy someone died and it proves a point? I can't even express here what I think of a response that thoughtless. No one said hop right in the red flag surf and feel wonderful about it. This is a beach with swimmers and they could certainly get caught in a rip current in a yellow flag surf just as easily. If it is your loved one and they die because there is no rescue equipment or enough properly trained responders, I won't make fun of you, I promise.

I appreciate your point and doubt that Scooterbug is pleased in some way that one swimmer died.
I am not sure what the county can do to ensure more successful rescues. It seems to me the best strategy is to prevent people from getting into the water on red flag days, and I think most would agree the county does a fine job with the flags and beach safety campaign.
If I am not mistaken, Bay County has more lifeguards on beaches than does Walton, and my perception is that more people drown in Bay than Walton (I could be wrong with that stat, it is just my perception based on what I hear on the news). I don't know what else Walton can do to protect people who put themselves in harms way.
By the way, kudos to the rescue swimmer who hoofed-it down the beach and managed to pull three people out of that water.

[Mermaid]

Chuckleheads and ten year olds, great response. This man is dead people are you being serious? The response by the county to someone dying was inadequate, that is my problem. You are happy someone died and it proves a point? I can't even express here what I think of a response that thoughtless. No one said hop right in the red flag surf and feel wonderful about it. This is a beach with swimmers and they could certainly get caught in a rip current in a yellow flag surf just as easily. If it is your loved one and they die because there is no rescue equipment or enough properly trained responders, I won't make fun of you, I promise.

Pirate, with all due respect, you misunderstand. No one can be happy that a person died on the beach. What you're reading is anger and frustration that someone died needlessly. It's particularly horrible because it keeps on happening and it never has to have happened at all. If people would only stay away from the water when the flag is red! No vacation is worth the loss of human life.

[Pirate]

Pirate, with all due respect, you misunderstand. No one can be happy that a person died on the beach. What you're reading is anger and frustration that someone died needlessly. It's particularly horrible because it keeps on happening and it never has to have happened at all. If people would only stay away from the water when the flag is red! No vacation is worth the loss of human life.

I do see the point about the flag system. I personally am a very accomplished swimmer and do not go in when there is a red flag unless I am surfing. It is however a choice as the single red flag does not close the water. I think everyone is somehow missing the point that in a beach town with thousands of ocean swimmers there should be a better rescue system in place for this type of problem. The initial response was so rapid, but they could not do anything to help. It was at least another 20-30 minutes before someone equipped to help these people came and that is just too long. Train some fire responders and put paddleboards or even a small pwc on the fire equipment. If that saved one life it would be worth it. It would have saved this swimmer I would bet.

[scooterbug44]

They are constantly trying to improve the system and responses.
A couple years ago there wouldn't even have been a lifeguard to rescue these people.

[Arkiehawg]

I do see the point about the flag system. I personally am a very accomplished swimmer and do not go in when there is a red flag unless I am surfing. It is however a choice as the single red flag does not close the water. I think everyone is somehow missing the point that in a beach town with thousands of ocean swimmers there should be a better rescue system in place for this type of problem. The initial response was so rapid, but they could not do anything to help. It was at least another 20-30 minutes before someone equipped to help these people came and that is just too long. Train some fire responders and put paddleboards or even a small pwc on the fire equipment. If that saved one life it would be worth it. It would have saved this swimmer I would bet.

Pirate

With do respect, the blame shouldn't be on the system, but those who constantly like to challenge the system. The flags were Red and the gentlemen still went out into the water and unfortunately, paid with one of their lives.

The lifesaving system in SoWal is a very good system and far superior to what we had just a few years ago. Is it perfect? No, but still better than you will see in the counties east of here. The director of the program is one of the best in the world and since he has been put in charge of the coordination/training, the death rates have dropped DRAMATICALLY!

Case in point. This last week's action by the lifeguard was truly an athletic feat. Running the last 1/2 mile because the path was blocked, then swimming 50 yards and bringing back three adult men by himself! Wow. I can assure you that just a few years ago, that attempt would have been by an overweight deputy in long pants and probably would have resulted in a more tragic result.

[ASH]

We can only hope that the more billboards out there and signage that we'd just as soon not need to have cluttering up all the beauty, might get through to one more person and divert another bad life memory.

People just need to open their eyes to what is all around them instead of their 3 square feet of personal space and the messge is out there, loud and clear.

I people watch whenever I can and it is just amazing to see how often people honestly aren't paying attention further than a few feet infront of their very lives. I believe televisions, telephones, video games and computers steadily teach society that this is all the further they need to be able to see.

[steyou]

Would it be worth it to train emergency personell water rescue when we do have an issue of any lifeguard gaining access to the area of his/her need. Of course it would be worth it. There is opportunity for improvement here instead of just saying that he didn't look at the flag. I just hope that everytime we have a personal disaster here, such as this, that it is esculated to the proper folks in charge and that we take a serious look to see what we could possible do in the future to avoid a 20-30 minute response time.
That is all. What can we do to make ourselves better. There is no blame here but there is an opportunity for improvement.

[SWGB]

I appreciate your point and doubt that Scooterbug is pleased in some way that one swimmer died.
I am not sure what the county can do to ensure more successful rescues. It seems to me the best strategy is to prevent people from getting into the water on red flag days, and I think most would agree the county does a fine job with the flags and beach safety campaign.
If I am not mistaken, Bay County has more lifeguards on beaches than does Walton, and my perception is that more people drown in Bay than Walton (I could be wrong with that stat, it is just my perception based on what I hear on the news). I don't know what else Walton can do to protect people who put themselves in harms way.
By the way, kudos to the rescue swimmer who hoofed-it down the beach and managed to pull three people out of that water.

Sorry, your assessment is with the unicorns.

Bay County has far fewer life guards covering far fewer beaches. in fact the life guards in Bay County are only located at the City and County Piers.

On the other hand in Bay County it is required that all beach chair personnel be certified life guards. I'm not sure if that is actually enforced or verified, but I know it is the law. This was the solution to no life guards that the BCC came up with years ago, not sure if the addition of some life guards changed it or not.

[Mermaid]

It was like deja vue this morning to open the paper to read that the man who drowned was from Lafayette, Indiana. He died because he and two others went into the water to rescue some children they saw struggling.

So there are indeed chuckleheads in this story. Chuckleheads who don't exercise parental responsibility to tell their little darlings to stay out of the water when the red flag is waving. Chuckleheads who--directly or not--contributed to the death of a man whose only fault was that he was a good Samaritan. That's the tragedy.

[Minnie]

Oh my Mermaid that is so, so sad. Just a major tragedy all around. When my daughter was working the kid's camp at Seaside she was alarmed at the risks so many parents took with their children and how many of them were drinking heavily and just letting their children run amuck. So sad for all involved.

[steyou]

In my book, this man is an absolute HERO

[teamc]

this man was a hospital administrator and pillar of his community. this tragedy could have been averted if the parents were as responsible as the rescuer.
however, let's bear in mind, while some folks are simply not going to pay attention no matter what you say, many people here are visitors and do not understand how dangerous and undertow can be, do not see the flags and often do not know what the flag system means. thankfully, sowal now has lifeguards, but despite it's horrible safety record, sandestin still doesn't have any. i think it's important to remember that visitors are guests here and as guests who may not understand the lay of the land, we are responsible for their safety.

[teamc]

I do see the point about the flag system. I personally am a very accomplished swimmer and do not go in when there is a red flag unless I am surfing. It is however a choice as the single red flag does not close the water. I think everyone is somehow missing the point that in a beach town with thousands of ocean swimmers there should be a better rescue system in place for this type of problem. The initial response was so rapid, but they could not do anything to help. It was at least another 20-30 minutes before someone equipped to help these people came and that is just too long. Train some fire responders and put paddleboards or even a small pwc on the fire equipment. If that saved one life it would be worth it. It would have saved this swimmer I would bet.

pirate, i couldn't agree with you more.
as a community whose properity is tied to those guests who visit us, it's our moral obligation to ensure their well-being. we also do not have a trauma unit within ambulance range of our beaches. the closest certified trauma unit is in pensacola which is 20 minutes by lifeflight, that means if the emts can stabilize someone for at least 20-40 minutes, they will simply not make it.

[scooterbug44]

Yes, many people are visitors, but I really don't know what MORE we can do to get the word out about the flag system or rip currents.

When I walk down to the beach I pass the large sign explaining them in 2 languages, if I go to throw something away or leave the beach there is another sign, when the clock radio goes off in the morning the DJ is talking about how you should check the flag system and beware of rip tides, I've got a free t-shirt w/ the flag system printed on it, the free local paper prints it every week, there are TV commercials about it, many owners provide info about it in their units ..............

The problem is not a lack of trying to protect our visitors, the problem is people ignoring those attempts.

[teamc]

Yes, many people are visitors, but I really don't know what MORE we can do to get the word out about the flag system or rip currents.

When I walk down to the beach I pass the large sign explaining them in 2 languages, if I go to throw something away or leave the beach there is another sign, when the clock radio goes off in the morning the DJ is talking about how you should check the flag system and beware of rip tides, I've got a free t-shirt w/ the flag system printed on it, the free local paper prints it every week, there are TV commercials about it, many owners provide info about it in their units ..............

The problem is not a lack of trying to protect our visitors, the problem is people ignoring those attempts.

oh SO much more can be done to get the word out about safety. no visitor is going to listen to your local station - they've go their ipods!- or is at their hotel watching tv- their making sure they spend every minute outside on their vacation!- or is reading your local paper- what do they care? the fact that "many" owners provide info in their units instead of ALL property owners and concierge services being required to explain it is an indicator

hopefully the powers that be here..tdc? will come up with a cohesive communications plan for water safety and hurricane evacuation (return) that the short or long term visit can tap into easily. there are lots of examples from other tourist destinations and cities.

[Paula]

Private beach accesses also don't have postings about the flag system, nor does the beach near the access. The flags may be 1/4 mile away, and not noticed by people who aren't looking for them - it's easy for the mind to focus on the beach, kids, etc., in front of you rather than turning right or left and noticing a flag. So, we could ask our associations to put up a flag system and safety chart by the entrances, and the TDC could provide them, even if it meant a charge (though I would hope our rental taxes would pay for things like this). Anything we do that is within our control to prevent tragedies like this (my heart goes out to this man's family) is worth it. I really can't say enough how ignorant people can be about beach safety (that includes me, especially before I became more of a beach person through SoWal and SoWal.com) and how little intuition about beach safety people have. Even those who usually use extreme caution with their families may not understand the risks of the beautiful ocean. Couple that with no signs about safety in many areas, things like this will continue to happen. If there was a sign at this beach, then it was indeed the parents'/adults' full responsibility with no excuses to keep their children out of the water.

I noticed at Sanibel Island there are no safety flags and, frankly, I don't remember seeing any safety signs at the beach or beach entrance there - at least not at the condo place where we were staying and it was a big complex with a wide stretch of beach in front. I thought that was interesting. It could be that Sanibel has no rip tides or need for red flags, but I don't know that. I give SoWal credit for the signs, flag system and life guards. Clearly, there is even more we all could be doing. Personally, I'm going to check with our Association to see if we can put up a beach safety sign at the entrance to our beach access. It's a way of telling our guests, many of whom have children, that we care about them.

[Susan Horn]

This whole conversation puts me in mind of my continuing amazement that Walton County -- with as many miles of waterfront as we have -- does not have water safety, swimming and lifesaving classes (and pools for learning the stuff) in every school, as a mandatory part of P.E. starting in kindergarten and all the way through graduation. Imagine if we had a resident population of strong swimmers trained in water safety.

I have tried to get the School Board to do something about this, and have also tried to get the Parks and Rec folks to do something, and it's always "Thank you for your comments, but you can't get there from here."

It's an enormous public safety issue, and the wholesale failure of our various governing bodies to address this adequately confounds me.

[thisnthat]

oh SO much more can be done to get the word out about safety. no visitor is going to listen to your local station - they've go their ipods!- or is at their hotel watching tv- their making sure they spend every minute outside on their vacation!- or is reading your local paper- what do they care? the fact that "many" owners provide info in their units instead of ALL property owners and concierge services being required to explain it is an indicator

hopefully the powers that be here..tdc? will come up with a cohesive communications plan for water safety and hurricane evacuation (return) that the short or long term visit can tap into easily. there are lots of examples from other tourist destinations and cities.

Have you ever gone to any of the SWFD or TDC meetings and expressed your concern? Talking about it on a forum is going to get you nowhere. If you are that concerned for the safety of the public, you need to show up and speak out.

[beachmouse]

This whole conversation puts me in mind of my continuing amazement that Walton County -- with as many miles of waterfront as we have -- does not have water safety, swimming and lifesaving classes (and pools for learning the stuff) in every school, as a mandatory part of P.E. starting in kindergarten and all the way through graduation. Imagine if we had a resident population of strong swimmers trained in water safety.

We had something like that where I grew up in Michigan. Either 4th or 5th grade your gym class for a quarter was 'drownproofing'- they'd bus us over to the high school pool and we'd do a mix of swimming and water safety lessons. Fun for me since I'm utterly an utterly hopeless athlete on land but was a long time swim team kid already at that point and it was like my one chance to shine in gym class.

Alas that program was a casualty of budget cuts in the mid-80s.

In 7th grade, we also got out of social studies class for two weeks in order to take a boating safety class run by the local sheriff's office. That program's probably long gone by the wayside as well.

[scooterbug44]

We had swim lessons at the community pool as little kids - someone not knowing how to swim was a rarity because we spent so much time in and around water. I was quite surprised to find out that there wasn't a community pool here that offered lessons considering the amount of water surrounding us.

Knowing how to swim was actually a college requirement - they decreed that it was a necessary life skill, so every freshman had to take a swim test (think it was a 100m swim and a 5 min treading water) and if you didn't pass, you had to take swimming as your gym rotation.

The summer camp I worked at made everyone take a similar swim test w/ shoes, long pants, and long sleeved shirt in the chilly lake - even though every counselor was a lifeguard and wearing life preservers in boats was mandatory.

I took Boater's Safety Class because if you were certified, you could drive the boat at a younger age - the Department of Natural Resources offered it for a nominal fee.

[supermom262]

I wonder if a billboard with the flag system right before and after the 331 bridge would help. Also at the intersection of 98 & 331.

[beachmouse]

If it's an area where you get a lot of day trippers, that kind of system can work very well. They have displays of flags and explanations of current conditions right after the bridges to Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.

But I suspect that most of the people most impacted by the dorwining and near-drowning issue are pretty hunkered down for a week and wouldn't see the day's signs in those locations.

[SHELLY]

If it's an area where you get a lot of day trippers, that kind of system can work very well. They have displays of flags and explanations of current conditions right after the bridges to Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.

But I suspect that most of the people most impacted by the dorwining and near-drowning issue are pretty hunkered down for a week and wouldn't see the day's signs in those locations.

The toll-takers at the Pensacola Bridge hand out brochures with information about the flag system and rip-tides, as well as the lit billboards at those locations that advertise the surf conditions and they still have to go in and rescue people on red flag days.

[hippiechick]

Maybe a big Billboard with our flag warning system would help. But it seems as if more tourists ignore rules designed for thier safety while on vacation. They act like because they pay rent to stay somewhere that they should be able to do what they want, like entering the water when it is not safe, and walking in front of cars when crossing the street, riding thier bikes without regard to the rules of the road. I am actually amazed that there are not more tourists killed here because of thier disregard to thier own and thier families safety.

[Minnie]

Personally I think it is more the mentality of "I am on vacation I am immune to danger."

I think people read the information about the Flag system but just don't process it. I think they just can not bring themselves to think that a vacation destination can be dangerous.

I think many have no experience with the conditions of the water until they have to actually experience it, then sometimes it is too late.

This attitude of nothing will hurt me, I am on vacation is not just at the beach either, it happens many places. You have people who do not know how to ski, suddenly think that they can just put on skis and take off down the mountain. At Disney World you have parents allowing very young children to go pretty much anywhere by themselves, thinking no one would harm them there.

So until someone can figure out how to change the mindset of a tourist concering danger, not sure if anything will help.

[Susan Horn]

Have you ever gone to any of the SWFD or TDC meetings and expressed your concern? Talking about it on a forum is going to get you nowhere. If you are that concerned for the safety of the public, you need to show up and speak out.

This-n-that,

You're preaching to the choir--I am always encouraging Sowallers to show up at meetings, speak up, participate in democracy! Yes, I have been to more county meetings than I can count over many years, and have served on a number of county boards myself (appointed, unpaid, not elected positions; and I never asked to be appointed but have willingly served whenever asked).

I have personally called and/or written WCSB and BCC members about this, and attended Park and Rec meetings. Have not tried TDC or SWFD but they don't seem to me to have anything to do with getting swim classes into schools; and I've noticed over all these years of meeting-attending that the TDC and the BCC and the School Board and so on, they don't much like playing together. They all seem to want their own worlds to be compartmentalized. Or maybe there's something in the way each group is set up that legally keeps them from coordinating efforts better. I do know Gov. Bush decreed a few years ago that school districts and county commissions should get together and plan together.

So I don't know where to go from here, and besides, I'm too busy making a living, putting my children through college and working on EAR-based amendments (Planning Commission) just now to take on another crusade. I'm only one woman! Would love to see someone pick up this torch and run with it. For instance, parents with school-age kids involved in PTOs (which is what I was when I was trying to make this happen years ago).

[Susan Horn]

[quote=scooterbug44;552877]We had swim lessons at the community pool as little kids - someone not knowing how to swim was a rarity because we spent so much time in and around water. I was quite surprised to find out that there wasn't a community pool here that offered lessons considering the amount of water surrounding us.

The summer camp I worked at made everyone take a similar swim test w/ shoes, long pants, and long sleeved shirt in the chilly lake - even though every counselor was a lifeguard and wearing life preservers in boats was mandatory.

Indeed! I can only remember one or two kids I knew who couldn't swim well, and they missed out on a lot because that was THE main activity of hot months where I grew up (Montgomery, AL). Whether in a pool, the lake, the river, a pond at a friend's farm,or at the coast, we were in the water as many hours a day as adults in charge would allow. Shriveled fingers, green hair from chlorine, or lakewater musky smelling hair, blue lips!

We were also drilled by our parents to respect the Gulf and all bodies of water, and I knew all about rip tides and undertows and what to do if caught in one by the time I was 8 years old. We stayed out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, because DUH, that's when you get too much sun too easily. Besides, it's lunch time and nap time! And I was a tourist. So why aren't tourist parents teaching THEIR kids this stuff? Where's the disconnect?

[ItzKatzTime]

This-n-that,

You're preaching to the choir--I am always encouraging Sowallers to show up at meetings, speak up, participate in democracy! Yes, I have been to more county meetings than I can count over many years, and have served on a number of county boards myself (appointed, unpaid, not elected positions; and I never asked to be appointed but have willingly served whenever asked).

I have personally called and/or written WCSB and BCC members about this, and attended Park and Rec meetings. Have not tried TDC or SWFD but they don't seem to me to have anything to do with getting swim classes into schools; and I've noticed over all these years of meeting-attending that the TDC and the BCC and the School Board and so on, they don't much like playing together. They all seem to want their own worlds to be compartmentalized. Or maybe there's something in the way each group is set up that legally keeps them from coordinating efforts better. I do know Gov. Bush decreed a few years ago that school districts and county commissions should get together and plan together.

So I don't know where to go from here, and besides, I'm too busy making a living, putting my children through college and working on EAR-based amendments (Planning Commission) just now to take on another crusade. I'm only one woman! Would love to see someone pick up this torch and run with it. For instance, parents with school-age kids involved in PTOs (which is what I was when I was trying to make this happen years ago).

Susan Horn gets 5 Stars ***** for all that she's done in her life here in SoWal!!!! She deserves to chill!!!!!

We can all learn from her wisdom through her posts!!!!

[ItzKatzTime]

Personally I think it is more the mentality of "I am on vacation I am immune to danger."

I think people read the information about the Flag system but just don't process it. I think they just can not bring themselves to think that a vacation destination can be dangerous.

I think many have no experience with the conditions of the water until they have to actually experience it, then sometimes it is too late.

This attitude of nothing will hurt me, I am on vacation is not just at the beach either, it happens many places. You have people who do not know how to ski, suddenly think that they can just put on skis and take off down the mountain. At Disney World you have parents allowing very young children to go pretty much anywhere by themselves, thinking no one would harm them there.

So until someone can figure out how to change the mindset of a tourist concering danger, not sure if anything will help.

I so agree! When you go off on vacation you are in a different frame of mind. When we were in the jungles of Mexico one time we got ourselves into what could have been a bad situation. It was scary enough. Makes my heart beat fast now just thinking about it. Our tour guide was white as a sheet and he was of Mexican decent. Between the three of us....this was me!

[Susan Horn]

Susan Horn gets 5 Stars ***** for all that she's done in her life here in SoWal!!!! She deserves to chill!!!!!

We can all learn from her wisdom through her posts!!!!

Oh I am SO ready to sip a pina colada on the beach. Thanks for that lovely image! And for the kind words. Means a lot to me.

[Beach Runner]

Knowing how to swim was actually a college requirement - they decreed that it was a necessary life skill, so every freshman had to take a swim test (think it was a 100m swim and a 5 min treading water) and if you didn't pass, you had to take swimming as your gym rotation.

At Tulane we had to pass a swimming test in order to graduate. I don't know of any colleges/universities that have that requirement anymore, do you?

My nephews and brother-in-law are here at the beach, surfing.

[Andy A]

At Tulane we had to pass a swimming test in order to graduate. I don't know of any colleges/universities that have that requirement anymore, do you?

My nephews and brother-in-law are here at the beach, surfing.

This brings forth a question. My wife and I just returned from the walkover and double red flags are flying. There are three small kids with boogie boards catching the surf as it breaks near the shore. They are being supervised. There are also several surfers out further and nearer the public access. What should be done with these two situations, if anything, when double red flags are flying? Being a local, I understand surfers are certainly a cut above the normal swimmer. But when they are seen that far out in the water by the tourista to some it means, "Oh, its alright. See those guys out there. Any input regarding beach etiquette would be appreciated.

[teamc]

This-n-that,

You're preaching to the choir--I am always encouraging Sowallers to show up at meetings, speak up, participate in democracy! Yes, I have been to more county meetings than I can count over many years, and have served on a number of county boards myself (appointed, unpaid, not elected positions; and I never asked to be appointed but have willingly served whenever asked).

I have personally called and/or written WCSB and BCC members about this, and attended Park and Rec meetings. Have not tried TDC or SWFD but they don't seem to me to have anything to do with getting swim classes into schools; and I've noticed over all these years of meeting-attending that the TDC and the BCC and the School Board and so on, they don't much like playing together. They all seem to want their own worlds to be compartmentalized. Or maybe there's something in the way each group is set up that legally keeps them from coordinating efforts better. I do know Gov. Bush decreed a few years ago that school districts and county commissions should get together and plan together.

So I don't know where to go from here, and besides, I'm too busy making a living, putting my children through college and working on EAR-based amendments (Planning Commission) just now to take on another crusade. I'm only one woman! Would love to see someone pick up this torch and run with it. For instance, parents with school-age kids involved in PTOs (which is what I was when I was trying to make this happen years ago).

i have tried the tdc as have others. i'm sure you were given the SAME OL' LINE. "we don't need to do that. we're just a small town."

[teamc]

We had swim lessons at the community pool as little kids - someone not knowing how to swim was a rarity because we spent so much time in and around water. I was quite surprised to find out that there wasn't a community pool here that offered lessons considering the amount of water surrounding us.

Knowing how to swim was actually a college requirement - they decreed that it was a necessary life skill, so every freshman had to take a swim test (think it was a 100m swim and a 5 min treading water) and if you didn't pass, you had to take swimming as your gym rotation.

The summer camp I worked at made everyone take a similar swim test w/ shoes, long pants, and long sleeved shirt in the chilly lake - even though every counselor was a lifeguard and wearing life preservers in boats was mandatory.

I took Boater's Safety Class because if you were certified, you could drive the boat at a younger age - the Department of Natural Resources offered it for a nominal fee.

in new york city, they give free swimming lessons to people of all ages at the YMCA on the upper west side.

[seagrovegirl]

I really like the billboard idea...........lets see what we can do. Don't like billboards, but I think this idea has possibilities.