Lifeguard presence on downwards slope as summer ends, beach patrol provides safety tips

OCEAN CITY, Md.- Lifeguards here on Delmarva have some safety tips for you to keep in mind as there will be less guards on duty as summer has officially ended.

Ocean City Beach Patrol tells us the number of full-time lifeguards has dropped due to many having outside occupations.

As a result, we’re told those with less swimming experience should exercise caution.

According to the National Weather Service, a beach hazard risk remains in effect until late Wednesday evening with breaking waves of up to 5 ft resulting in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents.

Lieutenant Michael Stone wants you to keep this in mind. “When the tides high and you have an incline on the shore, the waves break at high tides and they’re going to break on the incline and we call that shore break,” Lt. Mike Stone said.

“If the waves are breaking right on shore that’s very dangerous and they can pick you up or hit you from behind if you’re not paying attention. That could cause some injuries.”

Other tips the beach patrol would like you to keep in mind include never going out on the water alone if you can avoid it.

Also, they add waiting to go out until lifeguards are on duty even if there’s less of them.