Officials warn of ‘insidiously dangerous conditions at Bay Area beaches ahead of summer months

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Officials are warning of “insidiously dangerous” conditions at Bay Area beaches ahead of the busy summer months. The warning issued Tuesday from the San Francisco Fire Department follows a series of deadly, or near-deadly incidents at Bay Area beaches.

Earlier this month, a man who rushed into the waves at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach to save his dog died. The dog survived.

Last week, SFFD rescued two young brothers who got caught in a rip current near Fort Funston. That same day, firefighters rescued a man who slide 30 feet down a cliff and was clinging to a rock in the Presidio at Battery Godfrey.

“Summer is approaching!” SFFD said. “With the warmer weather, comes increased risk to residents and visitors. Along the California coast, there are dangerous rip currents which can lead to dire circumstances if you aren’t informed.”

SFFD is teaming up with the National Park Service (NPS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — Weather Service (NOAA) to educate beach goers on common hazards.

“Recently, there have been several close calls and unfortunate tragedies in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), primarily due to rip currents,” SFFD said.

“NOAA’s National Weather Service encourages people to visit our beautiful Bay Area coastlines all year round,” the NOAA said. “Respecting the power of the ocean and having a safety plan will go a long way to ensure an enjoyable visit. The ocean can be insidiously dangerous in the summer months, luring people in during times of heat and seemingly benign conditions only to be swept into cold turbulent waters.”

“Live to share your wonderful stories and photos and be ocean safe,” officials added.

SF shoreline beaches don’t have traditional lifeguards, SFFD said. However, ocean rescue personnel does patrol Ocean Beach. Not traditional lifeguards, ocean rescue’s primary focus “is to make proactive and educational contacts to spread the word that Ocean Beach is not a swimming beach, and the public should not enter the water,” officials said.

SFFD issued the following safety tips:

• Swimming is strongly discouraged at Ocean Beach due to dangerous rip currents
• Rip currents are the number one risk at most beaches — If you find yourself in a rip, remain calm; do not fight the current, swim parallel to shore and then, in toward the beach
• Even though it may be warm out on the shore, the water can be cold, which can cause hypothermia
• Stinson Beach is safe for swimming as it has lifeguards
• Keep pets on a leash and do not swim after them if they get swept into the sea
• Stay off rocks in and around the shore
• While boating, ensure your safety gear is in working order and everyone onboard has a life jacket that fits
• Educate yourself on rip currents, local demographics, and sneaker waves