The Carolina beaches attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Grand Strand annually and act as a prime source of entertainment for local residents, but they can also pose a great threat to safety when visitors are not careful.
Marine life, dehydration and heat exhaustion, rip currents and distressed swimming are some of the threats that can plague beachgoers and cause medical emergencies.
Since May, there have been at least four deaths which have occurred on beaches or in the ocean in Horry County, according to the Horry County Coroner鈥檚 Office, three from drowning and one beachgoer who was run over by an Horry County Police Department truck.
Here鈥檚 what to know about potential threats from rip currents to heat advisories when visiting the beach.
How to spot rip currents
Rip currents are rapidly moving streams of ocean water flowing away from the shore. The powerful currents can move at speeds of up to eight feet per second, faster than an Olympic swimmer, according to the National Ocean Service.
Rip currents are fairly common and can pose threats to beachgoers, especially for those who are not strong swimmers.
A rip current can be spotted by a break in the white cap crest of a wave, but the natural phenomenon is a difficult thing to spot, especially from eye level when standing on the beach or wading in the water. Even though they don鈥檛 necessarily pull swimmers underwater and typically look like calm water from the shoreline, rip currents are dangerous because they can carry swimmers into deep water.
Here's what to do if caught in a rip current. Courtesy photo
The National Weather Service issues rip current information on a daily basis and urges caution when an advisory is issued. It鈥檚 recommended that swimmers carry a flotation device when there are high or moderate chances of a rip current.
Rip currents can be especially dangerous for less experienced swimmers because it鈥檚 easy for visitors that are 鈥渙verconfident in their swimming abilities to be carried away into the current,鈥 said Lt. Chris Adkins with Myrtle Beach Fire Department鈥檚 ocean rescue team.
If caught in a rip current, it is advised that swimmers do not fight against it while being pulled out. Instead, swimmers are encouraged to save energy, allowing the current to pull them out, and to swim back after the current has carried them out. Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current and then swim back to shore.
NWS advisories can be found at .
Locals and visitors flocked to the shores of North Myrtle Beach in the tens of thousands on July 4, 2024 to celebrate the 248th anniversary of American independence. At 1 p.m., a flyover of F-16s and vintage T-34s, T-6s and T-28s, was held over the coast, drawing the eyes and cheers from spectators as the planes passed above. Photo by S.T. Cardinal/tommy.cardinal@myhorrynews.com
What to do under heat advisories
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are also risks in the Southeast during the summer. NWS issues heat advisories within 12 hours of the beginning of dangerously hot temperatures.
鈥淭he general rule of thumb for this Advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or higher for at least two days, and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75 degrees,鈥 according to the National Weather Service.
It鈥檚 advised that people in areas under a heat advisory take precautions as extreme heat can cause serious illness and death. Utilizing shade and staying hydrated are important.
Heat cramps can be a precursory sign of more serious heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Those experiencing cramps should have firm pressure or a gentle massage applied to the affected area and should be given sips of water, according to NWS. See a doctor if cramps last longer than an hour.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating; cool, pale, clammy skin; weakness or tiredness; and dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Those experiencing heat exhaustion should be moved to a cooler environment and cool, wet cloths should be applied to the affected individual, or they can sit in a cool bath. Medical attention should be sought if a person vomits more than once, if symptoms worsen or if symptoms last longer than an hour.
Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency and those suspected of experiencing heat stroke should go to the hospital or be seen by paramedics as soon as possible. Symptoms of heat stroke include a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, fainting, loss of consciousness, hot, red, dry or damp skin, a rapid pulse and body temperatures above 103 degrees. While waiting for medical attention, those experiencing heat stroke should be immediately moved to air conditioning, have cool, wet cloths applied to the body, or be placed in a cool bath. Fans can be helpful if the heat index is below 90 degrees, but can be counterproductive if the temperatures are higher.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NWS recommend not giving a person experiencing heat stroke anything to drink.
Beach warning flags
Since beaches can foster potential danger, lifeguard stands or beach accesses are usually equipped with warning flags indicating ocean conditions that can be helpful to visitors.
Most beach warning flags fall into the following categories: green, yellow, red, double red, and blue or purple.
In Myrtle Beach, a green flag indicates low-hazard, or calm, conditions, meaning there are no known hazards to swimmers.
A yellow flag indicates medium-hazard conditions and advises beachgoers to 鈥渟wim with caution.鈥 This can signify possible rip currents or strong waves. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water under yellow flag conditions.
A red flag indicates high-hazard conditions such as strong waves or currents that can cause hazards to swimmers. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water under red flag conditions, the USLA writes.
A double red flag signals that the water is closed to the public.
Some less-commonly-seen flags include a blue or purple flag, which mean the same thing, and indicate the presence of pesky and possibly dangerous marine life, like jellyfish or stingrays.
Blue or purple flags do not signify the presence of sharks, which is often signaled using a quartered red and white flag that signifies an emergency evacuation, according to USLA. Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach do not use this flag and evacuations are instead signaled by lifeguards or emergency personnel audibly.
General safety
Basic reminders can be just as essential to ensuring beach safety.
Things like wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, swimming with a buddy, and monitoring children on the beach are also important things to do, although they can sometimes be overlooked.
Here are additional safety tips MBFD recommends:
- Swim near a lifeguard
- Know your avenue and location
- Always check weather and conditions before going to the beach
- Look at beach flags before entering the water
- Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen
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