Beach Visitors Ignore Double Red Warning Flags

We don't need no stinkin' flags. Everyone knows nothing bad ever happens on vacation.

Seriously, how horrible for his family. If there is a plus side, I bet everyone on that beach today will pay attention to the flags from now on.

I really find it hard to feel sorry for people that drown during a double red flag. What part of red (universal sign of stop or warning) do you not get? To me and many of my friends this is not a loss, but a thining of the herd.

I really find it hard to feel sorry for people that drown during a double red flag. What part of red (universal sign of stop or warning) do you not get? To me and many of my friends this is not a loss, but a thining of the herd.

i totally understand where you're coming from, but come on that was a little harsh, don'tcha think?

what i don't understand is the negligence, and that goes for all issues concerning the beaches, litter, canopies/tents, rip currents, etc.

Doesn't feel harsh at all since I just watched the news. In Bay county alone they listed the rescues and it basically went down the towers from East to West of rescues. What makes people think that if they witness a rescue from the water they can suddenly go in? Is it a lottery mentality? Granted I was raised around water, but at the same time I do have friends from the mid-west who wouldn't challenge red flags. If you think that paying two grand for a condo for the week exempts you from mother nature then more power too you. Maybe a dolphin will save you. I won't apologize for sounding cold, but it's just stupid and I don't feel that stupidity is a pass.

Maybe it does sound harsh and it's sad that someone has lost their life out of sheer stupidity but I am tired of the blatant disrespect of rules (and not just from beach visitors). Why should the rescue personnel continue to put their own lives on the line for idiots who ignore double red flags?

I agree about the lifeguards. Ive watched these young people train at Ed Walline a few times, and just keep thinking how brave they are. We sometimes think of lifeguards as looking cool (and they do) while they scan the water, but the bottom line is that they risk their lives when they attempt to save someone. And they are so young!

It's a tough job. They have my admiration and respect. I also feel truly sorry for the bystanders who are sometimes killed or injured when they try to save someone.

As to what will make people obey the flags, I'm clueless. Any ideas? What do they do in other beach areas?

I don't think we CAN make it any simpler or easier for people - we've got an incredibly simple and logical flag system that is posted at every access (in 2 languages no less), printed in every edition of the free local paper, continuously advertised on TV, and is also on t-shirts, fliers etc.

At some point personal accountability and Darwinism needs to kick in!

We don't need no stinkin' flags. Everyone knows nothing bad ever happens on vacation.

Seriously, how horrible for his family. If there is a plus side, I bet everyone on that beach today will pay attention to the flags from now on.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. People think to themselves "Heck, I'm a good swimmer. I can handle it." Famous last words.

Maybe it does sound harsh and it's sad that someone has lost their life out of sheer stupidity but I am tired of the blatant disrespect of rules (and not just from beach visitors). Why should the rescue personnel continue to put their own lives on the line for idiots who ignore double red flags?

In reference to the latest drownings, I don't believe that PC beach has lifeguards like Sowal does. I am glad we have them and it looks like it makes a difference.

I don't think we CAN make it any simpler or easier for people - we've got an incredibly simple and logical flag system that is posted at every access (in 2 languages no less), printed in every edition of the free local paper, continuously advertised on TV, and is also on t-shirts, fliers etc.

At some point personal accountability and Darwinism needs to kick in!

I think they are posted in just about every condo rental as well.

The only solution is to file a multimillion dollar suit against those who provided lodging but didn't properly protect their guests.:roll:

Sowal has lifeguards? (I enjoy looking at lifeguards.) I've never seen them there. My brother was there in earlyJune, they didn't have any in Seacrest near Rosemary. But even with a lifeguard I wouldn't get in the water under a red flag.

I think we may be overlooking the obvious here, those poor stupid swimmers were probably forced into the water by the attack deer.

Sowal has lifeguards? (I enjoy looking at lifeguards.) I've never seen them there. My brother was there in earlyJune, they didn't have any in Seacrest near Rosemary. But even with a lifeguard I wouldn't get in the water under a red flag.

I think we may be overlooking the obvious here, those poor stupid swimmers were probably forced into the water by the attack deer.

Here is a link where they are located. They are at publicly-owned regional beach accesses with restrooms that are maintained by the TDC.

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/OpenAccessesLifeguards.pdf

Here is a link where they are located. They are at publicly-owned regional beach accesses with restrooms that are maintained by the TDC.

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/OpenAccessesLifeguards.pdf

Kewl! Thanks much. I have to share this with my brother.

I think they should send a bill to the "rescue-ees" for dragging their sorry butts from the surf...

I think they should send a bill to the "rescue-ees" for dragging their sorry butts from the surf...

I agree 100%.

The double red flag is a somewhat recent addition to the area due to pressure a couple of years ago when there were several drownings in the Grayton area, I believe. A woman near Louisville died that week - the week before we came down - maybe 2004 or 2005.
The waters are rougher than they ever were years ago. People are not aware of the frequent danger even close to shore. There are those who will be reckless but that is true in anything.
The harsh tone on the board is disappointing. I usually read the message boards that are of interest to me and the topics that are helpful or of some concern.
I don't look at them as often as I used to. Thank you.

Part of the reason for the "harsh tone" is that many of us go out of our way to make the beaches as safe and pleasant as possible and are frequently rebuffed or ignored for our efforts.

It's sort of like when you tell the kids 30 times to put more sunscreen on - you're not as sympathetic later when they're complaining about being burnt.

It makes me nervous while I am at the beach and see little kids getting knocked over by the waves while there are red flags. The parents are oblivious and I am watching like a hawk. Not a pleasant relaxing thing when I finally am able to enjoy the beach. Then I think of the danger to myself or my loved ones hanging out on the beach with me. Will one of us risk our lives to save a kid or an adult.?.....yes...we would and it scares me to death of what can happen. Bystanders that become rescuers often drown to save some idiot (not the kids) who disregard the safety system and most of the time your trying to educate them is not taken to well. I quit going to the beach this summer.....so if we sound PO'd...we have a reason.

It makes me nervous while I am at the beach and see little kids getting knocked over by the waves while there are red flags. The parents are oblivious and I am watching like a hawk. Not a pleasant relaxing thing when I finally am able to enjoy the beach. Then I think of the danger to myself or my loved ones hanging out on the beach with me. Will one of us risk our lives to save a kid or an adult.?.....yes...we would and it scares me to death of what can happen. Bystanders that become rescuers often drown to save some idiot (not the kids) who disregard the safety system and most of the time your trying to educate them is not taken to well. I quit going to the beach this summer.....so if we sound PO'd...we have a reason.

I wonder if you called the sheriff if they would cite or arrest the parents for child endangerment?

It would probably be a good deterrent if on the flag system there was a sign that said there will be no resurers entering the water on red flag days, only body recovery and that if you are caught entering the surf, you will be arrested and fined for negligence or endangerment.

I wonder if you called the sheriff if they would cite or arrest the parents for child endangerment?

I will try that next time and see what happens. I'd rather see someone arrested than dead. Doubt the cops can arrest though, maybe give them a warning?

The double red flag is a somewhat recent addition to the area due to pressure a couple of years ago when there were several drownings in the Grayton area, I believe. A woman near Louisville died that week - the week before we came down - maybe 2004 or 2005.
The waters are rougher than they ever were years ago. People are not aware of the frequent danger even close to shore. There are those who will be reckless but that is true in anything.
The harsh tone on the board is disappointing. I usually read the message boards that are of interest to me and the topics that are helpful or of some concern.
I don't look at them as often as I used to. Thank you.

Perhaps the "harsh tone" is due to the absolute frustration so many of us feel as we watch parents ignore red flags and let small children play inthe surf while they read or talk to one another, or sleep...last week a five year old was knocked down and injured by a kayak...which her father had left in the surf instead of pulling it onto the sand...my granddaughter and I were sitting safely away from the water, and my 5 year old granddaughter had said several times to the child and the adults: there are red flags. I said to them they should get out of the water--both the father and mother ignored me; the child seemed willing to come out of the water, but when the parents were not paying any attention to her safety, she could only assume she was okay.

If, that child or one of the adults had gotten into trouble, they would have wanted someone to help them!

This happens all the time and for those of us who live here and see it every time we go to the beach, we do feel harsher measures must be necessary. I think fines for those in the water on red flag days would be appropriate; also charge those people for the rescue; and perhaps report parents who are allowing little kids in the "red flag" surf--that is surely as important for the sheriffi to be handling as the fact that someone is on a "so called" private beach.

Why would parents not want their children to be safe?

I am with Seagrovegirl...I am about ready to stop going to the beach until all the tourists go home for the season. It is too painful.

I think the only solution is a triple red flag.

And then 5 red flags when they ignore those?

Seriously - it's not the flags or lack thereof that are the problem! :angry: