Death today at Seagrove Beach

[NoHall]

Also note the bottom of this sign: Absence of flags does not assure safe waters. Where I'm from, we call that common sense.

I don't like the wording of the red and yellow flags on this one, though. I read those as, "Go ahead and swim. It's more fun today." I can't remember which signs y'all have down there, but I recall seeing them at all the accesses I use.

 

[scooterbug44]

Where I'm from we call it "sheet for brains" when you ignore warning signs, look at crashing waves, and then continue to wade in/swim!

Seriously, the flag system is a great one, easy to understand, well maintained, and well publicized. It is also FAR more info/cautionary than you will find at almost any other body of water.

I told Papa Scooterbug that tourists are drowning - his response was "Did they stop using the flag system?"

 

[NotDeadYet]

I have to say I am disturbed by the tone this thread is taking on. We don't know anything about the man who died yesterday, do we? Certainly there are always going to be stupid people who put others at risk with their stupidity, but there are always also going to be people who make mistakes or act out of ignorance. The Darwinists always seem to think they will never make a fatal mistake. Quite probably none of them will ever drown in SoWal but there are a multitude of other possibilities even for the best and the brightest.

 

[NoHall]

I have to say I am disturbed by the tone this thread is taking on. We don't know anything about the man who died yesterday, do we? Certainly there are always going to be stupid people who put others at risk with their stupidity, but there are always also going to be people who make mistakes or act out of ignorance. The Darwinists always seem to think they will never make a fatal mistake. Quite probably none of them will ever drown in SoWal but there are a multitude of other possibilities even for the best and the brightest.

I know nothing about the man who died. I was throwing in my $.02 about the clarity of the signs from a non-resident, inlander point of view.

 

[Miss Kitty]

I know nothing about the man who died. I was throwing in my $.02 about the clarity of the signs from a non-resident, inlander point of view.

Agree...I think most posters are desperate to find a system to keep this from happening!!!!

 

[Miss Critter]

Just wondering, if flags/signs are not posted at a private beach access, and someone drowns, can their next of kin file suit against the private property owner for failure to warn of danger? Do public beaches post to avoid liability as well as protect the public?

 

[Zebraspots]

I can understand people on vacation at the beach wanting to enjoy the water or cool off, but not swimming on a red/double red day seems like water safety 101.

They can go to one of the many pools, build sandcastles (or dig those #$*@* holes), go kayaking or play in one of the lakes, play in the outfalls, so why are they risking their lives in obviously unsafe water?

Part of learning how to swim is learning about safety, your limits, and how to judge water - and erring on the side of caution and hidden dangers are always emphasized.

What am I missing?

 

[BeachSiO2]

BR, you bring up an excellent point. I handful of the larger properties adhere to the flag warning system, but there are stretches all along 30-A where one can walk long distances and not see any flags.

Where do you mean? My understanding is that outside of the state parks, where they post their own flags, there is a flag pole that can be seen from the water's edge in at least one direction. I will try and track down the flag pole locations as they were selected by previous Code Enforcement Beach Activities Coordinators, Ken Wilde and Lesley Campbell.

 

[scooterbug44]

One or more flags are clearly visible along the entire stretch of beach.

I was on the beach in Seagrove saturday afternoon and could see 3 flags from my location ............ and so could the idiots who walked down the steps, read the signs, checked the flags, then went in the water!

 

[Will B]

Not to cast any disparaging remarks, but a lot of the discussion points have trended towards an implied desire for a "Nanny State" status. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions? Just because there are not signs visible at every entrance doesn't imply there is any culpable negligence on the county's part. I'm mean really...it's the Gulf of Mexico. There are currents, waves, and big scary fish with teeth. We all know that. It's called implied risk.

I have stepped down from my soapbox, now. You are free to proceed with the "flaming"!