Sowal Visitors, how did you learn about the beach flag system?

I have taken to calling the renters at our cottages when they arrive to welcome them, to find out if they need anything and if everything's OK at the cottages, and to remind them to take the flag system seriously. I let them know that in my experience (from what I've read on this board over the years), it's usually adult men who get in trouble, in part because they heroically go in the water to save others who ignored the flag system or because they wrongly think they're strong enough to avoid getting pulled by the rip tides. I spoke with guests today and they said they went to the beach, stayed out of the water, but there were plenty of people in the ocean despite the double red flags.

It's not good that people were in the water today, but I am so happy you are taking a proactive approach for the safety of your guests. Thank you for your posts, your information is important.

Some links about beach safety:

http://www.sowal.com/south-walton-beach-rules-and-safety-information
http://www.sowal.com/story/beach-safety-tips-staying-safe-on-sowal-beaches
http://www.visitsouthwalton.com/beach-safety
http://www.swfd.org/beach.php


For current conditions and flag updates text “FLAG” to 67463 to receive a link or visit SWFD.org. Text messaging rates may apply.

Amazing-close to fifty swimmers had to be assisted to shore in Bay and Walton counties yesterday alone. To my knowledge double reds flew all day in Walton yesterday. Despite the flags, what lack of common sense must one have to get in such rough water?!
http://www.wmbb.com/story/18761654/double-red-flags-keep-swimmers-out-of-bay-walton-waters

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On a positive note, let's give the Walton TDC kudos and gratitude for flying double-red flags the past several days. Bay and Okaloosa chose to fly single red flags part of those days. We took a quick survey in Fired Up today and 100% of the parents felt our all of beach counties should not hesitate to fly double-red more often to help keep visitors safe.

I thought all the nearby counties would use the same surf zone forecasts from the NWS for setting the flags, but maybe not.

I definitely give Walton County points for making it easy to find the current flag status online. Try googling for south walton current flag warnings vs. panama city beach. Multiple links to Walton County's comes up. I'm still trying to find current conditions for PCB.

On the double red, I know it saves lives, but from a personal freedom standpoint I'm uncomfortable with the idea of anyone telling me the ocean is closed. I just find that a really strange concept.

I thought all the nearby counties would use the same surf zone forecasts from the NWS for setting the flags, but maybe not.

I definitely give Walton County points for making it easy to find the current flag status online. Try googling for south walton current flag warnings vs. panama city beach. Multiple links to Walton County's comes up. I'm still trying to find current conditions for PCB.

On the double red, I know it saves lives, but from a personal freedom standpoint I'm uncomfortable with the idea of anyone telling me the ocean is closed. I just find that a really strange concept.

It seems to me that historically Bay is way more liberal with their flag colors. Many times I see Bay flying green when Walton has yellow up. I think it is subjective as to what color is flying.

Green flags are rarely flown here. First off is the idea that you should always use caution - so stick with yellow. The other issue is that if you raise green flags all morning, by the time you finish, the onshore wind has picked up and you have to start raising yellow flags, then by the time you finish raising all the yellow flags the wind has picked up and . . . you see the problem.

Not to mention the squalls we get that pop up in 30 minutes and create red flag conditions.

It seems to me that historically Bay is way more liberal with their flag colors. Many times I see Bay flying green when Walton has yellow up. I think it is subjective as to what color is flying.

I live near the Okaloosa/Walton County line Okaloosa is much more liberal as well. Many times I will see green flags in Okaloosa and yellow in Walton. The fire department is the ones that come out to change the flags every day - but on Saturday I saw the Walton Co Sheriff changing the flags to double red aroun 4:30 pm. It seems Walton Co tries to err on the side of safety.

Most open water swimmers drown because by the time they realize they're in trouble, it's too late to do anything about it, and they haven't brought anything that floats with them. I think something like the following is a great idea:

http://myswimit.com/about-swim-it/

I've been waiting for someone to invent something like this for years.

Most open water swimmers drown because by the time they realize they're in trouble, it's too late to do anything about it, and they haven't brought anything that floats with them. I think something like the following is a great idea:

http://myswimit.com/about-swim-it/

I've been waiting for someone to invent something like this for years.

The swimit is a cool idea! Cost prohibitive...$119.99. Hopefully there will be an alternative, less expensive model to hit the market...soon!

http://www.facebook.com/jasonaldean

Jason Aldean is not happy about the ticket he got for swimming during double reds. "I'm pretty sure I won't drown in knee deep water."
And that right there is the problem. People simply do not understand rip currents, or the power of knee deep water. These are the same folks who drive into flooded intersections and then can't comprehend how the water managed to sweep them away.
The day before the drowning flags were single red. I was talking to some visitors on the beach, nice, intelligent people. And they asked me, how seriously do I take the flag?

I don't like it that anyone got a ticket, but there is an obvious reason for it. When double red flags are flyimg in Bay County, "knee deep is too deep," is the motto for Channel 7 new.

Before entering the water, check the flag, then ask yourself, "can someone die trying to save me?" If the flag is red and especially double red, the answer is YES.

If you do not have a flag nearby...get on the computer and check flag conditions at www.swfd.org, or many other websites, turn on the TV, or ask your neighbors. Better yet, make a phone call to SWFD @ 850-267-1298. Even better than all of that, use your common sense. If the Gulf looks angry, it wants to eat you. Back away. Instead, enjoy the view.

I like that people got tickets. Seems to be the only thing that gets some folks attention.

Some links about beach safety:


For current conditions and flag updates text “FLAG” to 67463 to receive a link or visit SWFD.org. Text messaging rates may apply.

I never knew about this -- it's a great idea! I just signed up to get alerts for our upcoming trip! This should be a sticky on Sowal. Get the word out!

Saturday I got a text in the late afternoon (4:48pm) that the single red flag was being replaced by double reds. We were near Bramble and the flag never changed for the next hour or so we were there, I think we left about 6:00 and no flag change. This seemed odd. If SWFD texts double red, it seems we need to figure out how to get them up immediatly.

Signing up for beach updates via text was easy! Very cool.

I thought I would add that I got the late Saturday afternoon text as well stating the flags were double red and said the beaches were closed. I had only signed up for the texts while we were there in late May. Havent received a text since we left so I assumed the water conditions were bad enough they were texting EVERYONE...

Noticed today that the signs explaining the flag system at the entrance to public accesses on 30a east of Camp Creek Lake are gone. Only checked two accesses but have they removed these signs for some reason?

I talked to our Beach Safety Director Gary Wise again yesterday and he is so passionate about beach safety. He's also extremely concerned about visitors getting in the water when it's unsafe and they should know better. He said there have been over 30 water rescues this month and multiple drownings. All are preventable with education about flag system and the dangers of rip currents.

He lost 4 lifeguards recently who left for other jobs offering more money. The Junior Lifeguard program started yesterday - it's a great program! He's thinking of starting an adult version so we can all learn about safety and help educate visitors.

He's thinking of starting an adult version so we can all learn about safety and help educate visitors.

I think this is a great idea.

Any possible correlation between removing the easily readable flag signs at beach accesses and the increase in rescues?

I know you can't fix stupid and some people will ignore any signage or warnings, but those signs were quite easy to see and comprehend. Walking around to the back side of a sign to see something half the size just doesn't seem very effective.

Any possible correlation between removing the easily readable flag signs at beach accesses and the increase in rescues?

I know you can't fix stupid and some people will ignore any signage or warnings, but those signs were quite easy to see and comprehend. Walking around to the back side of a sign to see something half the size just doesn't seem very effective.

I am not sure what you mean. Was there a recent change in the signage?

There was at my beach access. There used to be a large sign about the flags as you headed down the boardwalk and another sign you saw when coming up from the beach. Now the only flag info is much smaller and hard to see as part of the blue sign down on the beach.

Wave safely billboards also give zero info as to what flags mean and you can barely see the flags on them.

I think we should bring Seymour the Crab back. The bill board with the waves and the colored dots (I mean flags) is a waste of money.
I put the magnets I got from Goatfeathers in my rental.

It may sound cheesy, but at age 37 I had never been to the beach. Before we visited I did my research on beach conditions. Came across SOWAL fire department website which clearly explained the beach flag system and hazards as well as offered free text messages each day. We taught our kids and other family members what the flags meant. To this day I still get text messages when its a double red flag day. Guess they wany EVERYONE to know and be aware. Great service.