Be swept away by the beauty, not by the sea.*
From Caspar South Ocean Safety Committee

For weather information, go to the website www.srh.noaa.gov.

Keep safe by following these ocean safety guidelines.
Enjoy the splendor of this beautiful coast but be on guard to prevent tragedy.

   If you see anyone in distress on the bluffs, on the rocks, or in the ocean call 911 immediately.  Do not go into the water.
Do not attempt a rescue.
People who fall from the bluffs or are swept out to sea seldom survive.

Rules To Keep You Safe
>>Never turn your back on the ocean.
>>Never go near the ocean, beachcomb, fish, kayak or dive alone.
>>An adult must accompany a child even on rocks and beaches.
>>Keep children close.
>>Expect rapidly changing conditions.
>>Stay back from bluffs and cliffs.
>>Avoid slippery rocks.
>>Beware the sleeper, sneaker or rogue wave,
these appear without warning,
often surging up on the beach or rocks with deadly force,
they are unpredictable; they occur often.
>>Before going near the water or rocks, watch for 15-20 minutes;
it takes this long to check for sets of large waves.
>>Use a designated spotter to watch the waves at all times.
>>Assume that waves can reach you.
>>Avoid exposed rocks, jetties and headlands during and after storms.
>>Proper clothing is essential; life jackets are recommended for children when on rocks,
tide pooling, or even on the beach.

Frigid Water
The ocean in this area averages 52 degrees F (11 degrees C).
Anyone in the ocean without a wetsuit risks hypothermia.
Keep your body above water as much as possible to stave off the onset of hypothermia.
Survival time can be as short as 15 minutes.

Rip Currents
Rip currents are strong, swift-moving channels of water moving from shore to sea.
To escape, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current.
If you are at a rocky point, swim for safety away from rocks or breaking waves.

Know The Tides
Incoming tides isolate rocks from headlands and the shore.
If you are unsure about tides avoid these rocks.
Get and use a tide book.
Stay off rocks and small, enclosed beaches when the tide is rising.

Watch For Logs
Waves can toss waterlogged logs in the surf or on wet sand; stay away.
Even small logs can be dangerous.

Beachcombing
Without warning,
sleeper waves can knock down children and adults walking on the beach,
who then struggle to regain footing in eroding sand.
The wave backwash can take people out to sea.

Tide Pooling
Rock shelves are not safe; rocks are slippery, especially those covered with algae.
Keep children close when tidepooling.

Fishing
When fishing from rocks or shore take extreme care.
If a fishing line snags, do not go into the surf to free the line.

Diving
If the ocean looks rough, it is rough.
Wait for calmer water to dive safely.

Kayaking
When kayaking, watch for breaking waves on the surface of the water.
The ocean is dangerous.
Be safe, change to river kayaking.

Stay Safe On The Bluffs
Storms and high waves erode the shoreline,
increasing the chance of collapsing landforms, slides, and falling rocks.

>>Proper footwear is essential, wear sturdy shoes.
>>Wet trails and soils can collapse.
>>Assume all cliffs and bluffs are unstable; stay away from the edge.
>>Rocks are slippery.

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Enjoy, and we'll wave when we see you at the Beach!
Walter & Nancy Spille
Celebrations
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