WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:19.210 On the rugged coastlines of the Northwest, even walking along the beach can become dangerous. 00:00:19.210 --> 00:00:25.380 Whether you intend to get in the water or not you must always respect the ocean. 00:00:25.380 --> 00:00:30.270 Along these remote cliffs and beaches where sneaker waves, beach debris and extreme tides 00:00:30.270 --> 00:00:35.430 combine with freezing water, you must stay situationally aware and never take your eyes 00:00:35.430 --> 00:00:37.390 off the water, to be wave safe. 00:00:37.390 --> 00:00:45.230 You won’t find many lifeguards along northwestshorelines and these coastal areas can be remote. 00:00:45.230 --> 00:00:50.710 Arrive knowing the local weather, surf and tide forecast for the beach you are visiting. 00:00:50.710 --> 00:00:57.260 NOAA’s national weather forecast site can let you know about local tides and forecasts. 00:00:57.260 --> 00:01:03.600 Local beach warning signs may provide information about specific hazards for that location. 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:08.810 We recommend you don’t visit these shores alone, and always know exactly where you are 00:01:08.810 --> 00:01:13.740 and how to contact a park ranger or a professional rescuer. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:19.409 While you are still in a safe and dry area, experts recommend you spend fifteen minutes 00:01:19.409 --> 00:01:24.979 watching the water to become aware of changing waves patterns and beach hazards. 00:01:24.979 --> 00:01:29.639 In areas like this, situational awareness involves watching out for dangers that might 00:01:29.639 --> 00:01:33.090 unexpectedly put you in the water. 00:01:33.090 --> 00:01:37.399 Cold water temperatures in the Pacific Northwest can make any immersion deadly. 00:01:37.399 --> 00:01:41.850 A hazard you should always be aware of is sneaker waves. 00:01:41.850 --> 00:01:46.380 These are sudden, powerful waves that can rapidly travel hundreds of feet further up 00:01:46.380 --> 00:01:48.740 the beach than previous waves. 00:01:48.740 --> 00:01:54.219 They can cut off your escape path and sweep you into the cold water. 00:01:54.219 --> 00:01:57.810 What makes them so deadly is that they can be completely unexpected. 00:01:57.810 --> 00:02:01.359 Get out of the way. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:02.359 Oh! 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:07.740 (dog barking) Whoa that was, that was scary. 00:02:07.740 --> 00:02:12.920 That’s a big sneaker wave. 00:02:12.920 --> 00:02:16.650 Never take your eyes off the ocean and on these enclosed beaches, that means ahead, 00:02:16.650 --> 00:02:21.420 beside and behind you so that your escape path is not cut off by sneaker waves or rising 00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:22.420 tides. 00:02:22.420 --> 00:02:27.720 If you see or feel wet sand that means waves may have recently been washing over the area. 00:02:27.720 --> 00:02:33.250 If the tide is rising you can become trapped or immersed in these rising waters. 00:02:33.250 --> 00:02:39.819 Areas in the Northwest are also known for dense fog that can reduce visibility to just 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:42.110 a few yards. 00:02:42.110 --> 00:02:47.239 Never approach the water if you don’t have at least six hundred feet or two hundred meters 00:02:47.239 --> 00:02:48.349 of visibility. 00:02:48.349 --> 00:02:54.129 In these frigid north pacific waters getting knocked or pulled into the water can be deadly 00:02:54.129 --> 00:03:00.140 with cold water shock leaving you incapacitated in just minutes, even before hypothermia becomes 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:01.519 a threat. 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:07.579 Another danger common on these forested coastlines is debris, especially fallen or cut logs. 00:03:07.579 --> 00:03:11.590 They can cover beaches, creating what may seem like a natural playground. 00:03:11.590 --> 00:03:17.969 A log weighing hundreds of pounds may feel stable and un-moveable, but even a few inches 00:03:17.969 --> 00:03:24.500 of water from a sneaker wave can be enough to lift and roll it, potentially trapping you. 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:28.440 Stay off and well clear of any large logs or debris fields that are anywhere near the 00:03:28.440 --> 00:03:31.129 surfline or the high tide mark. 00:03:31.129 --> 00:03:39.329 If you become trapped by logs or debris stay calm and have someone call 911 for help if they can. 00:03:39.329 --> 00:03:44.390 As the water begins to recede, push the log with the outgoing water and move away in the 00:03:44.390 --> 00:03:46.370 opposite direction. 00:03:46.370 --> 00:03:49.299 What if something happens to you or someone else? 00:03:49.299 --> 00:03:53.670 Keeping yourself safe while also helping others can save lives. 00:03:53.670 --> 00:03:54.900 (help!, help!) 00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:59.780 When you see someone else in trouble, and before you act, stay calm and practice what 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:02.120 we call “Take Ten.” 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:08.510 (help!)Pause to alert the lifeguards, (help!) or someone on the beach and call 911. 00:04:08.510 --> 00:04:13.120 While help is coming look for something that floats or will let you reach and assist the 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:16.709 person in trouble while you stay safe. 00:04:16.709 --> 00:04:22.520 The most important action you can take is to protect yourself first so you don't become 00:04:22.520 --> 00:04:23.790 the tragic second victim. 00:04:23.790 --> 00:04:29.760 The wild beauty of the Northwest coast is worth visiting again and again. 00:04:29.760 --> 00:04:35.070 You can enjoy the amazing wildlife and dramatic coastline safely by always respecting the 00:04:35.070 --> 00:04:39.690 power of its dangerous waves. 00:04:39.690 --> 00:04:44.450 Before your feet hit the sand, join us as we visit American coasts in the Ocean Today 00:04:44.450 --> 00:04:48.850 Wave Safe Series.