BY JESSICA LYONSOne teenager who was among the many to flock to the beaches to escape the weekend heat disappeared and is believed to have drowned while jumping waves.
On Sunday, July 2, 18-year-old Trevon Gidding was in the water at Jacob Riis Park in the Gateway National Recreation Area in Rockaway Beach when he went missing in the late afternoon. According to reports, Gidding, a resident of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, did not know how to swim.
Rescue efforts that day were unsuccessful and were called off that evening due to inclement weather. The search resumed the next morning.
According to the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), “drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death in the United States and the second leading cause of accidental death for persons aged 5 to 44.”
In order to prevent such deaths, there are several things beach-goers can do to make their day in the surf safer.
Swim near a lifeguard.
Learn to swim, the younger the better.
Never swim alone. If you do swim alone, have someone on shore watch you.
Do not fight the current.
Do not float where you cannot swim.
Always follow any rules posted at the beach.
Stay in the designated swimming areas.
Always face waves - never turn your back to the ocean.
Never swim in the dark.
Be knowledgeable of weather conditions.
Information provided by the American Red Cross, Kids Health and the United States Lifesaving Association.
