today's drowning in the water around 30-A

Paula you may be interested in this. Recently in a rental I saw the front page of the Walton Sun laminated from last year following the multiple drownings we had. The whole page was about the flag system, the types of dangers, and details of the tragedy. I couldn't think of anything more powerful to educate renters. If you contact them they may be able to get you a copy to laminate.

Thanks, Kurt. I can probably get the article online as well since I subscribe to the Walton Sun. Good idea to be even more specific about the risks. There are so many other things to do other than go in the water when the danger flags are up -- we have a great pool, great porch, great stuff to do on 30A and elsewhere nearby, and one can always go to the beach and play ball, read, build sandcastles without going in the water.

As you know, I like getting and giving information on best practices for rentals -- everyone gains when we take care of our guests in SoWal.

Thanks, Kurt. I can probably get the article online as well since I subscribe to the Walton Sun. Good idea to be even more specific about the risks. There are so many other things to do other than go in the water when the danger flags are up -- we have a great pool, great porch, great stuff to do on 30A and elsewhere nearby, and one can always go to the beach and play ball, read, build sandcastles without going in the water.

As you know, I like getting and giving information on best practices for rentals -- everyone gains when we take care of our guests in SoWal.

They'll have to get it out of the archive. I'll make a call to see if they will do a joint project with us.

The gulf is not a country club pool. If you can't swim good stay out of the water.

What if you can't talk good, any limitations there?

Each renter should get a simple pamphlet explaining the dangers of the ocean when they sign there rental agreement or make payment. For those of us ignorant of the dangers you can go to the following site:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/rip-current.htm

Thanks to all for the great info and up to date pictures of the beaches of South Walton. Canceled our August trip but hope to enjoy time there this winter.

In addition, we have prepared a notebook for our renters with any number of pieces of cautionary and orientation/helpful information. For example, from an earlier post, I found the following and will be adding it to our book:

http://www.swfd.org/watersafety.php

Good stuff available on this board and available generally on the internet.

In addition, we have prepared a notebook for our renters with any number of pieces of cautionary and orientation/helpful information. For example, from an earlier post, I found the following and will be adding it to our book:

http://www.swfd.org/watersafety.php

Good stuff available on this board and available generally on the internet.

I hope your renters can read good so they will know what to do. :rofl:

(Sorry, for the disruption. )

Hmmmm, another drowning, another discussion about how to read the flags, no lifeguards. What's that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome?

We didn't have internet access so we watched beach tv (ch.12) and I'm pretty sure they posted the daily swim conditions. (my mind is fuzzy at the moment) Every piece of literature I picked up had Seymour the crab in it. The owner of the condo had a little magnet on the fridge instructing how to swim out of a rip current. We were very prepared thanks to sowal.com but I thought even when your average tourist visits, it would be hard to miss the warnings. I know there are so many that feel that this is their only vacation and darn it.. they are gonna swim in the ocean. What can you do?

How does Beach TV show the flag conditions. I'd really like to give guests options for finding out about beach conditions so they have no excuse for not knowing, even if the flag poles are temporarily down due to storms. Do they show the flags on the hour? half hour? Any helpful hints?

How does Beach TV show the flag conditions. I'd really like to give guests options for finding out about beach conditions so they have no excuse for not knowing, even if the flag poles are temporarily down due to storms. Do they show the flags on the hour? half hour? Any helpful hints?

I think they just give an explaination of the flag warning system in the area. There is no update of flag levels in my memory.

Hmmmm, another drowning, another discussion about how to read the flags, no lifeguards. What's that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different outcome?

Even the Sheriff's office on jet skis were not able to perform a rescue. I don't know if lifeguards would make it either.

How does Beach TV show the flag conditions. I'd really like to give guests options for finding out about beach conditions so they have no excuse for not knowing, even if the flag poles are temporarily down due to storms. Do they show the flags on the hour? half hour? Any helpful hints?

During the weather broadcasts they would say..It's blue flag day out on the beach today or something like that. Maybe someone local could watch and give you more specifics.

We watched Beach TV the whole time we were there, and I didn't see a single flag condition reported. And, unless you enter the beach at a public access or near one, you probably won't see a flag system the whole time you are there. I looked for them, and walked miles on the beach, and never saw a flag. It's impossible to put flags every 100 yards, I suppose, but giving conditions on television would make a big impact I am sure.

We watched Beach TV the whole time we were there, and I didn't see a single flag condition reported. And, unless you enter the beach at a public access or near one, you probably won't see a flag system the whole time you are there. I looked for them, and walked miles on the beach, and never saw a flag. It's impossible to put flags every 100 yards, I suppose, but giving conditions on television would make a big impact I am sure.

If it wasn't beach tv then it was on the local weather on TWC. I know I heard or saw it somewhere.

Beach TV is a loop tape running on an automated system (I had the 5 cent tour years ago). It would be easy to include an overlay (like the clear ones at the bottom that tell you the channel) of the current flag status. It was running out of the TV station on Back Beach Road in PCB, I think it's channel 7.