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Death today at Seagrove Beach

Beach Comber
23,538 views
My family and I are vacationing in Seagrove beach. An older gentleman drowned today after not heeding the double red flags. By the time we made it down to the gentleman that passed away he was basically already gone. My sister is a doctor and offered to help with the compressions. They tried reviving him for half an hour before they took him away.

After speaking with someone at Modica, seems that a couple drowned yesterday in Santa Rosa area after being pulled out of the water TWICE PREVIOUSLY by the beach authority. Can someone please tell me why people refuse to understand the severity of the current? That the flags aren't just posted for the amusement of the beach authority?!?! Even AFTER the gentleman died, there was a couple trying to swim in the surf with their kids, ages 4 and up!

I just don't understand why this continues to happen. I am a tourist myself and I still feel like they need to haul these people out of the water and charge them a hefty fine for jeopardizing the lives of these lifeguards who have to go in after them. If we can charge $250 for littering on a highway, they need to start heavily fining people who are going in the water on double red days.

Needless to say it was a somber day at Seagrove beach today. I'm taking it upon myself to call the beach authority if I see one more kid in the water on a double red flag day. This is insane!! :cry:

Replies

104
Paula avatar
Beach Fanatic
#102
A couple of years ago, 2 locals, both very athletic and strong swimmers, saved a drowning victim, unfotunately, one of the rescuers died/drowned.

I like your suggestion; perhaps a pic of the deseased rescuers at the flag poles would help.


I remember a father and uncle drowning a few years ago (I think it was at Grayton Beach) after they saved the son/nephew (or some variation of this story).

I just keep thinking that the pattern is that those who drown are usually healthy adult men and specially targeting this group would be useful. And women and children would think that if healthy grown men drown in riptides that it's definitely not safe for them either.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the water in SoWal may not be more dangerous than elsewhere, but SoWal does a better job of letting people know the water can be dangerous at times (with the flag system and warnings). I was at Sanibel (great place) this winter and asked locals if they have rip tides, sharks, etc. and they said they did - but no warning flags.
Destiny avatar
Beach Lover
#103
We were visiting some friends in PCB in July when 3 people drown within 2 weeks. On one day alone over 20 people were pulled from the water. :( :( :bang: :bang: :idontno:
I hope visitors and residents are paying attention to the current conditions with Gustav. Life is precious.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#104
I've posted the flag info by the door to the pool area, on the fridge, and then everytime a rental guest boots the computer or opens the browser, it opens my rental home page which reminds them about the flags and "Leave No Trace."

I can't think of anything else I can do to educate my guests. :idontno:
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#105
We were visiting some friends in PCB in July when 3 people drown within 2 weeks. On one day alone over 20 people were pulled from the water. :( :( :bang: :bang: :idontno:
I hope visitors and residents are paying attention to the current conditions with Gustav. Life is precious.

They better pay very close attention, nobody's going in right now to rescue them. I'm not sure about tomorrow, but today the water was closed and it was made very clear that no one was going after idiots in the surf.

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