Tips for safe ocean swimming in Costa Rica

One experienced Costa Rican lifeguard provided the following list of recommendations when swimming in the ocean:

1. Do not go swimming after drinking alcoholic beverages.
2. Do not attempt to rescue anyone if you have no experience or training in doing so.
3. Never go swimming at night
4. Pay attention to signs warning of dangerous riptide (resaca de corriente). Although many beaches do not have lifeguards, they do have signage warning about strong currents.
5. Do not venture into the water if there are no lifeguards.
6. Before swimming, observe the water to see if riptides or big waves make it too dangerous to go into the water.
7. If you do not know how to swim, always use a lifejacket.
8. Never let children go into the water alone even though the beach is safe for swimming.
9. If you do not know how to swim, take lessons. If you are interested in learning how to surf, take lessons rather than attempting to surf on your own.
10. Never go into the water after eating a big meal.