Fear Mongering For Swimmers

By John Vlahakis

The University of Miami issued a report highlighting the potential dangers of swimming in tropical and sub-tropical oceans. Just when you thought it was safe to return to the beach, U of M decided to rain on our parade. U of M’s report is called B.E.A.C.H.E.S., which stands for Beach Environmental Assessment and Characterization Human Exposure Study. Who comes up with these acronyms? BEACHES enlisted 1,300 South Florida beach goers to participate in the study. The group was split between those that go in the water and those who do not. Several days after the experiment, the researchers followed up on both the wet and dry group to see about their health status. What they discovered is that you have a slight chance of getting ill from ocean based microbes. These are not microbes found in sewage run offs, tar balls, any other type of contamination. They are just plain old natural microbes that live in the ocean. The report found that those who went in the ocean had a 1.76 times more likely to have some kind of gastrointestinal sickness. They were also 4.46 times more likely to report having a fever or respiratory illness. Plus the wet group was six times more likely to report a skin illness. Normally, most of us who go swimming in the ocean tend to be more concerned of stepping on something sharp, or a jellyfish sting. A few of us who are truly paranoid are fearful of hearing the Jaws sound track playing in the background while we are swimming. The U of M researchers have a few common sense recommendations for us beach goers: Avoid getting sea water in your mouth, avoid swimming with open wounds, shower after swimming, and wash your hands before you eat. I find it interesting that they would issue said report at the height of the swimming season. Good PR for the University I suppose. The reality is that most of us follow these precautions. I for one do not like getting a mouthful of sea water, and try to avoid it. I wouldn’t want anyone not to enjoy the beach this summer because of this report. Use your head when you go into the ocean, and if you hear the soundtrack for Jaws playing in the background – head for higher ground!