Those waves break harder than you think. Here's how to stay safe at Delaware and Maryland beaches

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate spelling of Dr. Nick Perchiniak's name.

Going to the beach is all about unwinding and having a good time, but as crowds return to the Delaware beaches and Ocean City this summer, local medical professionals and beach patrol captains have an important message:

Being in vacation mode is no excuse for throwing caution to the wind.

Dr. Nick Perchiniak, an emergency department physician and the associate medical director for emergency services at Beebe Healthcare, said he is excited to see all the visitors arriving at the beaches this summer, but people should be aware of some of the risks when digging in the sand or swimming in the ocean.

“Just by taking a few steps and just a little better knowledge about some of those risks, (we) can dramatically reduce the chance of an injury to a beach visitor,” Perchiniak said.

Whether it’s been a while since you were swimming in the ocean or you’re planning ahead for your next beach trip, here are some tips to avoid getting hurt or sick at the beach.

Always swim in front of lifeguards

Ocean City Beach Patrol has a saying: “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand.”

Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin isn’t the only one to keep this rule either. Most beach patrols and medical professionals will tell you that swimming in front of lifeguard stands is the best way to stay safe while in the water.

If a lifeguard notices a rip current – which may look like a strip of brown, murky water that’s moving away from the beach – he or she can direct swimmers out of the current before they get pulled too far from shore.

Even the strongest swimmers can get stuck in a rip current, Arbin said, and “a fast flowing rip current flows faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim.” So, the best strategy is not to fight the current, but to swim parallel to the beach to get out of it.

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Be aware of hard crashing waves

Because the waves are crashing so close to the water’s edge, a lot of people are seeing back, knee and neck injuries from rough surf, said Rehoboth Beach Patrol Captain Jeff Giles.

This is partially because the beaches in Delaware are particularly steep. Giles said it’s common for someone to walk from the water’s edge and suddenly drop to fifteen feet deep during high tide. 

Some have said that Delaware's renourishment of beaches – a strategy to mitigate erosion by dredging sand off the coast and pumping it on shore – has contributed to surf injuries because it involves large earthmovers that smooth the sand on the beach, making the slope of the shoreline steeper and causing waves to break closer to the water's edge.

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“Our beaches are much different than what you’d get on the Jersey Shore,” Giles said. “It’s not like you can walk out for a long distance and the beach just slowly goes down.”

While the ocean may look more like typical rolling waves during low tide, Maryland and Delaware beaches often see waves break hard on the beach during high tide.

The beach patrol captains in Ocean City and Rehoboth Beach both recommend asking lifeguards about the water conditions before heading into the ocean.

Perchiniak agreed, adding that swimmers should always be cautious of the depth of the water before diving and avoid turning their backs to the ocean.

“The force of the water is incredible,” he said. “It packs a big punch, and if you are not prepared for it, it can cause an injury.”

Don’t swim too close to jetties

Perhaps you’ve seen the signs posted near the jetties that extend from the beach and into the ocean. But here’s another reminder: 

Do not sit on the jetties. Do not take pictures on the jetties. And do not swim near them.

Giles said a lot of rip currents form near the jetties, and someone can be seriously injured if they rub against a jetty or hit one while swimming. It’s also difficult for lifeguards to monitor people while they are on or near these structures far from the lifeguard stands.

"It’s a danger area and it’s really best to stay off of them and away from them," he said.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Staying healthy while under the sun can be as simple as drinking enough water.

Heat-related illnesses are common during the summer, but people can avoid them by making sure to hydrate, Perchiniak said. And it’s a particularly important reminder for anyone who is also drinking alcohol.

“Especially in hot weather, the effects of alcohol can be amplified, so we want people to make sure that they are drinking plenty of water, that they’re staying hydrated, and that they’re being mindful if they develop any nausea, vomiting, headache or cramps,” he said.

If anyone notices these symptoms, he said they should try to find shade or an air-conditioned space.

Protect yourself from sun and heat

Another easy one: Don’t skimp on the sunscreen.

Sunburn can range from a mild nuisance to a more serious problem, so it’s best to avoid it altogether and use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF, according to Perchiniak.

But it’s not just the sun that can burn your skin.

Arbin advises parents to put shoes on their kids’ feet when walking across the scorching sand because it can burn the bottoms of their feet.

Secure your umbrellas

While injuries from flying umbrellas may not be everyday occurrences, they can be dangerous.

Arbin said everyone should make sure they set up their umbrellas properly and put it down momentarily if the wind is too strong. It’s important to keep an eye on your umbrella and take it down if you plan to leave it unattended, he said.

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Don’t dig deep holes

Digging holes in the sand isn’t always fun and games.

Twice, Ocean City Beach Patrol has performed CPR on kids who needed to be rescued from holes after the sand collapsed on them, Arbin said. 

“Every year more people die in sand hole collapses than shark attacks,” he said.

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Because of the instability of sand, most beaches have rules or standards for how deep people can dig. In Ocean City, the hole can’t be deeper than the knees of the smallest person in the group, and Rehoboth Beach only allows two-feet-deep holes.

Digging trenches are also dangerous, and even smaller holes that are left unfilled can leave hazards for twisted ankles or other injuries.

Not feeling well? Got injured?

If you get caught in rough surf or start to feel unwell from the heat, go see a lifeguard for medical attention, the beach patrol captains said. The lifeguards can connect you with emergency medical services or help assess any injuries.

They can also direct you to other resources like walk-in clinics around the area.

While it can be hard to prepare for an injury at the beach, Perchiniak said knowing what to look out for can help people make the most of their time at the beaches.

“Sometimes things just happen by chance,” he said, “but just having a little bit of knowledge and being aware of your surroundings I think will go a long way."

Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@doverpost.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.