Beach Visitors Ignore Double Red Warning Flags

[Matt J]

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?

 

[rblessed1031]

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.

 

[seagrovegirl]

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?

 

[GoodWitch58]

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.

 

[dgsevier]

I think the only solution is a triple red flag.

 

[scooterbug44]

And then 5 red flags when they ignore those?

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

 

[seagrovegirl]

I say a tatoo on the wrist (temp...maybe last a week) for everyone checking in, of the flag system...that way there are no excuses....and reduces liability to the county.........I think that would get their attention....don't you? Any better solutions?

 

[kitlit]

I just never could get over the attitudes of summer guests towards the flag system... I've worked in several of our local rental departments over the years, and would always make it a point to mention the flag system to arriving guests. I'd give them a polite but serious warning about the dangers of going in the water during red flags, and an astounding number of people would respond the exact same way:

"I just paid $_____.__ for this vacation, and I don't care what color the damn flags are; I'm gettin' in the water!!!"

So, while I would like to give them the benefit of a doubt, I just know all too well that some people really are just fool-hardy SOBs...

 

[seagrovegirl]

I say a tatoo on the wrist (temp...maybe last a week) for everyone checking in, of the flag system...that way there are no excuses....and reduces liability to the county.........I think that would get their attention....don't you? Any better solutions?

And.....with the tatoo, sowallers are out of danger of being accussed of riding their bikes in the middle of the road.....this way, we can identify, without a doubt, who the brainless ones are.

 

[Minnie]

People take risks every day. Why, because there is a part of us that thinks the harm will affect someone else.

People who live at the beach, are very aware of the dangers of the waters and they should be. People who do not live there, regardless of warnings still take the risk, many simply do not understand the danger.

Just as people who smoke take a risk with their health regardless of the warnings, or those overweight, whose doctors have told them to lose weight.

Many live in older homes that if a licensed electricians did an inspection would say it is an accident ready to happen.

People drink and drive and many drive and speed all very dangerous behaviors.

I don't think tourists at the beach are the only ones disregarding the warning signs.

The loss of life is a tragedy that no one should make light of, every life, even those that refuse to accept help, is precious.