Ocean Safety Beach Signs - Page 1 of 2

Developed and Used in Hawai`i

On This Page . . .

And, on Ocean Safety Signs Page 2 . . .

HIGH SURF

Warning Level: DANGEROUS . . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition: Large powerful waves are generated by winds and storms at sea sometimes thousands of miles from the Hawaiian Islands. Seasonal high surf occurs on all shores of O`ahu. Typically, shorelines facing North, East and West receive high surf during Winter months. Shores facing Southeast and Southwest receive high surf during Summer months.

If you're uncertain of your abilities, don't go into the ocean during high surf, heed all posted high surf warnings! Your life could depend on it!

Comments: Surf on the North shore may reach heights of twenty-five feet plus, - on the West shore, fifteen feet plus!

[ Top of the Page | Beach Signs Page 2 ]

WAVES BREAK ON LEDGE

Warning Level: DANGEROUS . . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description: These are large waves originating from deep water breaking on rocky ledges. However, this condition can occur suddenly, unexpectedly even when the water appears to be calm.

Comments: Be very cautious when walking along rocky coastlines where waves are breaking. Rocks become slippery and are sharp, abrasive lava stone. Lava is very porous and it crumbles easily. Don't ever go into the wet rocky zone. The ocean is unpredictable and has been known to wash people away.

Don't put yourself in a position where you could be swept away. Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!

[ Top of the Page | Beach Signs Page 2 ]

STRONG CURRENT

Warning Level: DANGEROUS . . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description: These are swift moving channels of water against which it is difficult to swim. Strong currents frequently accompany high surf and rapid tide changes and can be recognized as a turbulent channel of water between areas where waves are breaking.

Comments: When caught in a strong current -- Try to keep a level head, i.e., don't panic! Wave one or both hands in the air, and scream or call for help. Swim diagonally to the current, not against it.

Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!

[ Top of the Page | Beach Signs Page 2 ]

SHARK SIGHTED

Warning Level: DANGEROUS . . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description: There are forty species of shark that live in Hawaiian waters. Occasionally, some do come close inshore, and when sighted lifeguards and other coastal authorities will clear the ocean in vicinity of the sighting. Please immediately obey all warnings and orders to clear out of the ocean when a shark is sighted.

Comments: Shark attack is rare in Hawai`i, but it does indeed happen. To learn more about the Sharks of Hawai`i, please visit our shark pages - click here.

Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!

[ Top of the Page | Beach Signs Page 2 ]

HERE ARE SOME
BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS:

• Swim in Lifeguarded Areas
• Never Swim Alone.
• Don't Dive Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves.
• Ask a Lifeguard About Beach and Surf Conditions Before Swimming
• If You Are Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help
• Rely on Your Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation Device
• Look For, Read and Obey All Beach Safety Signs and Symbols
• If In Doubt, Just Stay Out!

Return to the Beach Hale Home: Aloha Page. Or, use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour: North Shore, South Shore, East Shore and the West Shore.

Or, you can go to the Beach Directory for a listing of all the beaches covered in these pages.

Search this site or the Web with Google:

Search aloha.com Web Search

Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, a not for profit, professional association of Hawaii's lifeguards devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach and ocean safety.

Web Developer: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee. You can reach me by email by clicking here.
Last modified: 08-Mar-2005 01:33 PM

Source URI: http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/bsigns.html

Aloha. . . malama i ke kai!