5 Things You Need to Know About Ocean Swimming

1. Dress Appropriately for Water Conditions

That cute bikini you have may be perfect for sitting on the beach, but for a serious ocean swim you may want something a bit less flimsy that can hold up against the waves. Consider wearing a wet suit, especially if the water is cold. Cold water decreases your ability to swim and causes you to fatigue faster. A wet suit will keep you warm and increase buoyancy in the water. Wear a pair of swim goggles to prevent stinging from the salt water. If you have long hair, wear a swim cap to keep the hair out of your eyes. Don't forget to protect yourself with a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

2. Know What You're Jumping Into

Before you jump into the ocean, check both the weather and the water conditions. Surf conditions are often reported on television and on the radio. Many public beaches post warning flags to inform swimmers about rough and unsafe conditions. Avoid swimming if conditions include strong currents and high winds. Consider swimming only where a lifeguard is on duty.

3. Perfect Your Ocean-Swimming Stroke

Ocean swimming is much different from swimming in a pool. The strength of the waves can limit your ability to swim as strong or fast. Use a freestyle stroke, which is most efficient in that type of water. Avoiding lifting your head out of the water on every stroke since it can be fatiguing. Pace yourself, and be aware of how far out you are swimming. Unlike a pool where you can lean on the side to catch your breath, you have nothing to rest on in the ocean. Know your limits, and swim back to shore before you become too fatigued.

4. Sea Creatures to Avoid

Shark attacks get a lot of media attention, but humans are very rarely bitten by sharks. The sea creature that is much more likely to be a nuisance is a jellyfish. It may be impossible to prevent all stings from a jellyfish; however, these creatures move slowly, so swim away if you see one. Don't touch one, even if you think they are dead; it is still possible to get stung. If you are stung, rinse the area with salt water. Fresh water can increase the stinging. Apply an antihistamine cream to the affected skin when you get home.

5. Escape a Rip Current

The biggest hazard when swimming in the ocean is probably getting caught in a rip current. Rip currents are dangerous because they can pull a swimmer out to sea very quickly. If you find yourself swimming toward the shore but are not making any progress, you may be caught in a rip current. The most important thing you can do is to stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore until you are free from the current, and then swim in.