Beach Safety with a Myrtle Beach Legend

Summertime is in full swing here at Ocean Lakes and that means time spent at the pool, Tie Dye Wednesdays are back, and all the ice cream you could ever want! And let’s not forget BEACH DAYS!  

With a mile stretch of oceanfront, the beach is a popular amenity when staying in the campground. Guests and Leaseholders thoroughly enjoy walking the beach or sitting to take in the view and catch a few rays. While the beach is a place to make family memories, find your inner peace, and kick back and relax… There are safety precautions one must take in order to have a safe and enjoyable time.

To go over some beach safety tips with us is none other than Duke Brown! Duke is Horry County Police Department’s Beach Safety Director. From working as a beach lifeguard, to teaching at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, launching the Junior Lifeguard Program, and serving as Horry County’s Beach Safety Director, he has seen a thing or two! 


The Man, The Myth, The Legend – Duke Brown | Duke was a schoolteacher for 41 years and has been the Beach Safety Coordinator for Horry County for 35 years. He has worked around the beach as either a Lifeguard or a Beach Officer for 58 summers. Duke is an Instructor/Trainer for the American Red Cross, an Instructor for the USLA, and he is in the National Registry for Advanced EMT. Not only has he been involved with a team that wrote two USLA textbooks, but he is also an External Reviewer for the Aquatic Red Cross Courses. Safe to say that this man knows his stuff!


Fun Fact: His family owned a site in Ocean Lakes for 50 years and he was one of the very first Lifeguards at Ocean Lakes!


Top 18 Beach Safety Tips | This week, we are sitting down with Duke to review his top 18 beach safety tips. Let’s get started so we will be ready for summertime in Myrtle Beach:
  1. Prior to arriving to the beach, prepare for your day on the beach! Make sure you carry sunscreen, have water to stay hydrated, know who is with you, have a plan of action if you have small children, and check the weather and surf conditions prior to your beach day.
  2. Swim near a Lifeguard!
  3. Swim with a buddy!
  4. Do not go any further than 50-yards or chest deep (this is actually an ordinance).
  5. Know how to swim. If you are not a strong swimmer, wear a life jacket. 
  6. Always have a ‘water watcher’ for all children. This means a person on the beach, near the water observing (arms distance).
  7. If your child becomes lost, immediately tell a Lifeguard or Beach Patrol Officer.
  8. Make sure you monitor younger and older people. They are more prone to have a medical emergency or event.
  9. Fill all holes that were dug. 
  10. Flotation devices must be fabric covered with a 360-degree rope, boogie boards must have a leash, and devices must be Coast Guard approved.
  11. All umbrellas must be behind the established umbrella line. The only shading device allowed is a single-pole umbrella and an infant structure, which is 4 x 3 x 3. The Shibumi Shades or canopies are not allowed. 
  12. Dogs are only allowed on the beach before 10 AM and after 5 PM from May 1st through Labor Day. 
  13. Glass and alcohol are prohibited on the beach.
  14. Do not swim at daybreak or at night. Be aware of schools of fish close to shore – Larger fish follow these schools of fish. 
  15. If there is a large number of Man o’ Wars washing ashore or Jellyfish/Man o’ War stings, it would be a good day to stay on the beach and not go in the water. It is recommended to carry white vinegar with you to apply to stings, if needed.
  16. As you walk through the surf, shuffle your feet. This will lessen the chance of being affected by a Stingray injury. 
  17. Please take your trash with you when you leave the beach. 
  18. If you are unsure about an ordinance, check with a Lifeguard or view the ordinances posted on the back of the Lifeguards’ chairs. 
Extra Resources | For more information on Horry County's Beach Ordinances and beach safety tips, here are a few extra resources: 


If you ever need to review the Beach Rules and Laws, visit our website: https://www.oceanlakes.com/about-us/policies/beach-laws-and-tents/. 

To learn more about our beaches, visit: https://www.checkmybeach.com/. 

To view more of Horry County’s Beach Ordinances and Policies, head on over to their website: https://www.horrycountysc.gov/about-our-beaches/. 

For more beach safety tips, visit: https://www.usla.org/. 

Until Next Time | We hope you all take these beach safety tips and put them to good use this summer, whether you are at Ocean Lakes or visiting another beach vacation destination. Remember, if you ever have questions or concerns, or need assistance, seek out a lifeguard on the beach. They are always happy to help!


Wishing you all a fun and safe summer from your Happy Place! 

Location: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

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