August 16, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 15 . . Teen Seriously Injured By Shore Break FROM PAGE 4 low dive injuries can occur in any surf conditions or even in the bay or a lake or a pool.” Arbin said one of the beach patrol’s mantras is “Feet First, First Time,” advising swimmers to jump in feet first initially to safely gage the depth of the water, whether it’s in the ocean, the bay or a pool. He said it is not uncommon to have shallow dive injuries even on the calmest of days in the ocean because swimmers don’t know the depth of the water when the dive head first. “One of the saddest stories I ever remember is when a vacationing family just arriving in Ocean City dropped two anxious boys off at the beach while they went to find their place to stay,” he said. “The boys were so excited they just dropped their towels and ran and dove into the ocean head first and one of the kids ended up getting paralyzed for life. Those are things that are so preventable but can change a person’s life immediately.” In the wake of the spike in injuries related to shore break and shallow diving this week, the beach patrol began proactively educating those on the beach about potential dangerous conditions. The guards on the stands typically hold brief safety lessons when they come on duty each morning for anyone who cares to listen, but the dangerous conditions this week had them stepping up the education efforts. “The guards have been pulling people together for impromptu education attempts, or EDUs, this week,” said Kovacs. “What they will do is blow their whistles and use their flags to get people to their chairs and talk about the conditions of the day, whether it be rip currents or shore break like we have now. They will even sometimes get a boogie board and demonstrate how to properly ride with your head below the end of the boogie board.” While the beach patrol made a number of rescues and emergency medical responses this week, the number of reported incidents this summer is down significantly, according to Arbin. A combination of relatively calm surf, cool ocean temperatures to a large degree and the associated lack of rip currents have conspired to cause a drop in the number of rescues and other interactions. Not coincidentally, the number of reported incidents when the guards go off duty at the end of each day has also dropped this year. Nonetheless, ocean conditions change quickly and Arbin and the patrol continue to advise and educate swimmers about numerous safety issues. The Geckos Tropical Flair! WEDNESDAYS ON THE DECK AT UPTOWN MUSIC WITH A Casual Waterfront Dining CLASSIC New England Fare Famous Lobster Roll Homemade Chowdahs & Bisques Great Burgers & ‘Wiches Crab Cakes Great Steaks Homemade Desserts Children’s Menu Magical Sunsets Happy Hour In The... ✼✘✔✌✡✗ ✤✆❜ DAILY 3-6 P.M. CALL AHEAD FOR CARRY-OUT 54 OPEN DAILY AT 11:30 A.M. FENWICK ISLAND 302-436-2305 www.Twiningsshanty.com COME SEE THE SHANTY’S TURTLES!