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Now
Available:
Dr.
Beach’s Water Tracer
Dr. Beach's Water Tracer
is a method of detecting surface
water currents, especially
life-threatening rip currents at
surf beaches, has been
developed.
The
water tracer is biodegradable
and non-toxic.
Water currents are often difficult to discern, especially dangerous rip currents at surf beaches. Coastal scientists use water tracers by adding concentrated dye in powder or liquid form to water and then wading into the ocean and pouring it into the water (see video: Beach Rips: Dangerous Currents). A much more convenient and safer way for beachgoers to use a water tracer is by having the dye in the form of a ball that can be thrown from shore.
The YMCA kids at South Beach called them “magic rocks” when Dr. Leatherman threw a fluorescent, orange-colored dye ball into the water and it dissolved to form a beautiful green plume of water. This really got their attention because the fluorescent dye was so visual, and the brightly-colored plume immediately began moving in the longshore current. Waves are apparent, but currents are largely invisible. Many beachgoers do not even realize that there are currents at oceanic beaches, much less dangerous ones. Great Lakes beaches are also subject to rip currents, especially the southern end of Lake Michigan.
Beachgoers presently have no
direct means of detecting rips
and other dangerous currents.
Red flags are used on many
Photo: The floating dye ball quickly dissolves in marine waters, releasing a plume of dye that is shown tracing the tidal current in Biscayne Bay, Florida.
The dye ball is neutrally buoyant in water so that it floats at the surface. Rip currents are the most serious hazard that threatens bather safety on most of the world’s surf beaches. It is estimated that 100+ people drown each year on U.S. beaches and perhaps thousands worldwide. Statistics from the US Lifesaving Association show that approximately 80 percent of all lifeguard rescues (more than 50,000 yearly) at surf beaches are the result of rip currents. Put into perspective, rip currents are responsible for more deaths than floods, hurricanes or tornadoes on an annualized basis according to the National Weather Service.
Dr.
Beach’s Water Tracer: Read These
Instructions Before Usage
Directions--Making the Currents Visible:
·
Ask permission of lifeguard or
on-site beach manager to throw
dye balls into the water.
·
Before entering the water, throw
a dye ball (which has been
flattened to increase its
dissolvability) from the beach
into the water where you plan to
swim.
·
The floating dye ball will begin
to dissolve when it hits the
water and form a bright
fluorescent green plume.
·
The green plume of colored water
will move seaward (away from the
beach) if a rip current is
present.
·
The green plume will often move
alongshore (along the beach);
you need to follow the plume
while on the beach to see if it
feeds into an offshore-flowing
rip current.
·
Generally the dye ball is thrown
seaward of the breaking waves
when checking for rip currents.
If the dye ball is pushed
ashore, you can throw it out
again; your hands will be
slightly stained by the
dissolving dye, but it comes off
easily with soap and water.
·
Keep dye balls sealed in plastic
bags before usage to lock out
humidity and moisture.
Disclaimer and Limitations on Usage:
·
Waves and currents are always
changing at beaches and can
change rapidly.
·
The
dye balls (Dr. Beach’s Water
Tracer)
only show currents where colored
by dye and at time of use.
Use this product at your
own risk.
·
There are no guarantees of safe
water conditions solely by use
of this product.
Dye balls will make currents
visible in the immediate area
only (e.g., where tracer moves).
·
Don’t swim where rip currents
are present, when signs are
posted that dangerous currents
may be present, when red flags
are flying, or when beaches are
closed.
·
Swim near a lifeguard, and
consult lifeguards regarding
dangerous currents.
·
Fluorescein dye is non-toxic,
biodegradable, and NSF-approved
as safe in drinking water (see
Materials Safety Data Sheet for
fluorescein, disodium salt; for
example,
http://www.brightdyes.com/MSDS/MSDSFLTGreenLiquid.pdf).
·
Rip currents are the most
dangerous aspect of surf
beaches; in the United States,
more than 100 people drown
annually, and lifeguards rescue
10,000s of people each year that
are caught in these powerful,
seaward-flowing currents.
·
Rip currents are hard to detect
and common on many beaches;
there can be many rips on a
beach, and alongshore currents
can move you along the beach
into a rip current.
·
The seaward pull of the water is
often felt in knee-deep water.
At waist depth, the
current can make it difficult to
maintain your footing in even
moderately strong rips.
·
Many beachgoers are drowned on
sunny days when the waves are
only 2-3 feet high.
·
Rips are difficult to predict
because these currents can be
produced both by strong onshore
winds or an offshore storm when
there is no wind at the beach.
·
Rip currents are most prevalent
on Pacific coast beaches, but
many drownings occur along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Florida has the highest
number of rip drownings because
it has hundreds of miles of
great beaches, sunny weather,
and warm water.
·
During the summer of 2010, 25
people drowned in rips in the
Great Lakes.
Understand the Dangers of Rip Currents:
·
View the short video “Beach
Rips:
Killer Currents” at
www.ripcurrents.com or
www.DrBeach.org
before going into the water.
·
Consult the United States
Lifeguard Association web site (www.usla.org)
for further information.
Rip Currents are Often Invisible--Signs, if present, vary by location and may include:
·
Change in water color from the
surrounding water—lighter color
and murkier from bubbles and
sediment
or darker because of an
underwater channel where the rip
flows.
·
Gap in breaking waves where the
rip is forcing its way seaward
through the surf zone.
·
Agitated (choppy) water that
extends beyond the breaker zone.
·
Floating objects moving steadily
offshore.
·
Rip currents are especially hard
to detect during times of strong
onshore winds and confused sea
conditions.
·
This is not a check list.
If you are not sure, then
don’t go into the water.
Email us at
drbeach@drbeach.org with
your comments and rip photos
Pricing &
Ordering.
All prices include shipping and
handling for US Mailing
Pack
of 6
$19.95 USD
(order
it)
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Read More:
Pricing
& Ordering.
Pack
of 6
$19.95 USD
(order
it) |
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