A water rescue expert gives us advice on how to protect ourselves during these holidays to avoid bad experiences in the water and problems due to sun exposure.

The holidays have already begun, and with them, many tourists, both domestic and international, are heading to the beach. However, sometimes negative experiences due to a lack of awareness of essential safety tips can turn a pleasant moment into a scare or even a tragedy.

Every year, Costa Rican beaches are visited by many vacationers, and their beautiful landscapes, located a short distance away compared to other world destinations, make our country a favorite destination.

A popular holiday destination due to its proximity to the Central Valley is Jacó beach, in the canton of Garabito, on the Central Pacific coast, where a water rescue team has to work twice as hard to prevent as many accidents as possible in the water.

In this article, Mr. Mar Chen, head of aquatic rescue in Garabito, gives us ten tips to take care of ourselves during these holidays, if our destination is the coast.

1. Follow health guidelines such as mask, alcohol, hand washing and social distancing.

2. Follow the protocols that are labeled and located along the beach; it is very important to read this information, as it can save lives.

3. Along Jacó Beach there are bamboo trees that are separated by 10 meters from each other, marking areas so that vacationers can be in social bubbles.

4. It is also advisable to look for a beach chair rental tent, as these are safer and comply with health protocols.

5. It is always recommended to consult with the lifeguards to ensure you know the safe areas to enjoy the beach. The main lifeguard towers are located in front of the Flamboyant Hotel and on Madrigales Street (in the accessible beach area).

6. If you are going to position yourself under a palm tree, it is highly recommended to first check if there are coconuts that could fall on the area, as this represents a lethal danger of seriously injuring or causing the death of a person.

7. It is very important to collect all the trash that accumulates during your time at the beach. Do not leave any kind of waste behind. It is also important that if you are going with pets, you bring bags to collect their waste.

8. When you see lifeguards, municipal police, or other emergency vehicles moving about, make a safe space for them to pass without problems. Clear the way while ensuring your own safety, as well as that of your family and children. Lives may depend on it.

9. It is important to know how to interpret the tides. For this, it is recommended to either research beforehand and look for information on the Jacó Lifeguards website or consult the lifeguards. It is best to enter the sea at mid-tide.

10. If you are caught in a rip current, it is always recommended to remain calm. Try to position yourself on your back in a cross shape, floating instead of swimming, to conserve energy and calm yourself. It is recommended to signal for help by waving your hands vertically. If immediate help is not available, try to get out using the waves. Once the wave pulls you a short distance, return to the cross position to conserve energy.

Another super important piece of information is to learn a little more about ocean currents, or what are popularly known as rip currents. We can find this out by visiting the Jacó Beach Municipal Lifeguards page on Facebook and Instagram and the Jacó Beach Volunteer Lifeguards page on Facebook.
According to Mr. Chen, videos with tips and recommendations for this season will be included.

Mar Chen also provides three vital principles for avoiding skin problems due to sun exposure, which are:

1. The suggested sunscreen is SPF 50. Frequent application is recommended. Lip balm should also be used.

2. Stay hydrated.

3. Expose yourself to the sun during recommended hours from 6:00am to 11:00am and from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

Aquatic knowledge is very important for the field of surfers and this is recognized by the specialist Mar Chen, who annually tries to offer courses to surfers to expand this knowledge, however, this year they had to be cancelled due to the covid 19 pandemic.

If you follow these tips to the letter, you could avoid a bigger problem and thus be able to enjoy a spectacular vacation to recharge your batteries for 2021.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero