***Swimmers being rescued***

[Andy A]

Bobby J, you have answered my question. Thank you but I don't think at my advanced age I'll be taking up surfing. My post acknowledged the fact that surfers were not ordinary swimmers by any stretch of the imagination. I think that it is also obvious there could be better ways of informing the general public that just because surfers are in the water on double red flag days, it doesn't mean they can swim at their pleasure. One of my sons is a surfer and lives in Cape Canaveral. I certainly have no argument with surfing. I just think the public needs to be better informed about the differences between surfing in the gulf and swimming in the gulf on double red flag days.

 

[2bohemians]

We were thinking ... we wonder if at the boardwalks, along with the other signs and on red / double red flag days, perhaps there could be a sign that tells the number of drownings or near drownings thus far. The numbers could be changed by the lifeguards accordingly.

When we lived in California, we used to camp at the Kern River which was notorious for some intense rapids. At many points along the river, there would be signs stating the difficulty level of the rapids at that spot and also stating the number of deaths that had occurred.

We realize that this could be a harsh reminder for victim's families and friends and that some folks in tourist development might not be fond of the idea. But maybe if people were confronted with the truth, they might take a 2nd thought before getting in the water on a double red flag day.

 

[Bobby J]

Bobby J, you have answered my question. Thank you but I don't think at my advanced age I'll be taking up surfing. My post acknowledged the fact that surfers were not ordinary swimmers by any stretch of the imagination. I think that it is also obvious there could be better ways of informing the general public that just because surfers are in the water on double red flag days, it doesn't mean they can swim at their pleasure. One of my sons is a surfer and lives in Cape Canaveral. I certainly have no argument with surfing. I just think the public needs to be better informed about the differences between surfing in the gulf and swimming in the gulf on double red flag days.

I really do not believe in the real world we will be able to keep people out of the water. I also believe that people will continue to drown. We should continue to educate people. It seems the answers always lies in education. Banning does not work. Maybe there should be some sort of focus on the fact the surfer is using a flotation device in the water. DO NOT ENTER THE WATER WITHOUT A FLOTATION DEVICE! Maybe this should be just a simple warning at all times. Don't get me wrong, I love the flag thing and feel it is probably effective. It helps me know which way the wind is blowing.

One last note. I lost a close family member a few years back in the bay. He was a true waterman. He saved his grand babies life. He made one mistake. He dove in the water to save her without a flotation device.