Are Tide Pools Dangerous?
It’s natural to wonder about safety before visiting the tide pools. The ocean is a dangerous place, and the shore can be unfriendly to those who aren’t prepared. However, you’ll be glad to know that most people can safely explore the intertidal zone in most places along the coast. But that doesn’t mean there is a possibility of getting hurt. You can mitigate your risk by educating yourself on what could go wrong and taking action to protect yourself while exploring. Here, we’ll broadly cover some tide pool dangers to introduce you to what you’ll need to prepare yourself for.
Waves
The waves usually present the risk of the most harm along the coast. Especially on rocky shores, waves can rise large and face and sweep an unsuspecting tidepooler off their feet. In the best scenario, the wave might push you into sharp rocks, but being swept into the surf is not unheard of. Even strong swimmers will struggle to “beach” themselves on the rocks if this happens.
Danger from waves sounds very bleak, but it is one of the easiest intertidal dangers to avoid. First, don’t visit high surf areas alone; you’re likely to find more animals in protected or semi-protected waters anyway. Second, never turn your back on the waves and maintain a fair distance from where the breakers are surging. Third, know the tide times and be aware if larger waves are coming nearer with a rising tide.
Rocks
Rocks often present the next most pressing danger to tidepoolers. Falling will often result in cuts and bruises, perhaps a broken bone if you’re unlucky. Seaweed can also make rocks slippery, along with microalgae, a film of invisible slime that makes wet stone nearly impossible to walk on.
Slipping is the most common reason for falls. Unstable rocks that move underfoot are also culprits. It’s important to wear sturdy shoes with good tread in the intertidal and to keep your hands free to steady yourself or to break a fall. Always test an uncertain step before weighting a rock and stay within earshot of others in case you need help. Most falls on intertidal rocks result in minor, non-life-threatening injuries, but most will halt your tide pooling fund. Cutting your leg open will ruin your day; breaking your ankle might ruin weeks.
Animals
No intertidal animals think you look like lunch, but many have defenses they will use when threatened. Crabs and lobsters have sharp pinchers, fish can bite, sting rays hide in the sand, and corals and anemones can cause burning rashes. Even some worms are armed with fiberglass-like bristles that can sting and burn. In addition to these “everyday” threats, certain places around the world have more dangerous animals you should be aware of, like poisonous fish, venomous octopus, or aggressive pinnipeds.
Sea urchins likely cause the most injury to humans along the shore. You regret not wearing shoes if you slip into a sea urchin bed. But most harmful animal encounters can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings, educating yourself on any particularly dangerous animals in the area, and treating the animals with respect by keeping your distance.
The Elements
Like any other outdoor activity, cold and heat can pose some danger to tide poolers. Wear sunscreen (although don’t put it on your hands if you’re hands are in the water) and appropriate clothing for the weather. Cold often presents more danger than heat (just jump in the water), as freezing hands and feet can turn to more serious conditions like hypothermia if you aren’t dressed properly. Use common sense about the weather, and don’t expect it to be warm just because you’re at the beach.
Although there are inherent dangers at the coast, they rarely provide reason not to visit the shore at all. If you are prepared and aware, you aren’t likely to get hurt and can keep others safe as well. Resources on this site ^(https://www.blogquicker.com/goto/https://thetideisout.com/tag/tide-pool-safety/) and others like it can provide the education piece to this puzzle.
#Tide #Pools #Dangerous #Tide
