Beach Safety Brochures Available to Beach Tag Buyers

CAPE MAY – Recently, a Herald reader expressed alarm that his recent purchase of beach tags in Cape May did not come with the beach safety brochure. The issue of beach safety took on a special meaning in Cape May after Cold Spring resident Chad DeSatnick, a surfer who constantly plied his passion, suffered severe spinal injuries on a city beach when he was 24 years old.
DeSatnick, a former lifeguard in Cape May, was instrumental in the actual development of the brochure. At council meetings in 2010 and 2011, City Manager Bruce MacLeod strongly supported the initiative to provide brochures to visitors as well as residents. The most common location for getting one is the beach tag sales sites although they are also distributed through local businesses.
The brochure contains useful information on the warning flag system and rip currents. A particular focus is on head, neck and back injuries and ways to prevent them.
When questioned, the Cape May office responsible for beach tag sales indicated that it is still policy to make them available to anyone who buys tags. On a recent visit, one could see the brochures, which come in both a large and pocket size, stacked on the counter.
What went wrong when a Herald reader and three associates purchased tags and received no brochure is not clear. It is possible that there are times when visitors are not specifically given the brochure and left to take one from those available on the desk. On a mid-week visit, this reporter found that the brochures had been moved to the end where they might not be as visible.
What the beach tag staff made clear is that there is no change in policy. The brochures are still printed and available. The need for vigilance in ensuring that tag purchasers are made aware of the brochure and handed one is important. As this reporter left the office, the brochures were once again front and center on the counter.
This story came about from a Spout Off that read: Cape May – I guess the City of Cape May feels that the beaches are safe enough to swim without injury. I just purchased beach tags and city employees never offered beach safety brochures to me or to any of the other three patrons buying tags. I would like to know if this is a liability issue since they are aware of the potential danger involved with the slope of the beach, and making conscious decisions not to hand out the brochures?
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
(ED. NOTE: From Aug. 4-7, 2014, Tropical Storm Bertha moved north far offshore and propelled waves that resulted in nine C-spine injuries to bathers on city beaches.)