Trinidad Beach Vacation
Safety Tips

...5 things you should know for your trip to the beach

You're on vacation in Trinidad and you're on your way to the beach. There are 5 beach vacation safety tips of which you should be aware. Local knowledge and insight that you'll likely never need, but which is good to know never the less, particularly if you are unaccustomed to the sea...

Riptides, or more correctly rip currents, are narrow streams of water that flow away from the beach and out towards deeper water. They are dangerous but relatively easy to escape if you stay calm and know what to do.

Experienced surfers sometimes use these out flowing streams of water to conserve energy when swimming out beyond the breakers. It is important to note that rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking surf. The stronger the wind and the bigger the surf, the stronger the rip current.

 How to Recognize Rip Currents 

Rip currents often look and behave like rivers, pulling water, debris and sand out to sea. Look for a plume of discolored, sandy water beyond the breaking surf. These out flowing streams can usually be found at regular intervals along the beach.

In Trinidad lifeguards patrol most popular beaches during the weekends and public holidays. However, they do not patrol many of the more secluded beaches.

If you plan to explore then visit Maracas Beach first, there is usually a lifeguard on duty who will be happy to pass along beach and vacation safety tips and show you how to identify rip currents.

 How to Escape From a Rip Current 

• Non-swimmers, stay out of water that is greater than waist deep, above your belly-button. If you follow this first rule you will almost certainly not need the following tips. However...
  
  
• If you feel yourself being pulled in to deeper water, remain calm.
  
  
• Raise one hand and call for help if there is a lifeguard on duty and you're not comfortable with your swimming abilities.
  
  
• Do not try to fight the current; struggling will wear you out. Go with the flow. Most fatalities are caused not by the current, but by people who become exhausted and are unable to swim back to shore. Remember, rip currents push you out to sea; they do not pull you down. Current strength diminishes in deeper water.
  
  
• Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then swim to shore using the waves to push you in.

Rip currents are a relatively benign natural phenomena once you know what they are and how to avoid them.

During late February and March, you should be on the look out for Portuguese Man-o-war. These beautiful pink and blue floating pillows carry their armories below the water, tasseled streamers that pack a scalding sting.

 Encounters with Portuguese Man-o-war 

The larger specimens are fairly easy to see as they are propelled along on the surface of the ocean by the winds, tides and currents, so there is really noting menacing about them, just keep and eye on the surf while you are bathing. The smaller one are a little more difficult to see but in-water encounters with Portuguese Man-o-war are relatively uncommon.

However... just be aware that a sting from their tentacles is dangerous to humans, causes excruciating pain, and in extreme cases may require medical attention.

In Trinidad Portuguese Man O'War are found mainly on the East Coast beaches of Matura, Manzanilla and Mayaro.

 How to treat a Portuguese Man O'War sting? 

• Remain calm and immediately get out of the sea. Thrashing around and scraping at the site of the sting can make things worse.
  
  
• Remove any remaining tentacles with either tweezers, a gloved hand, or a stick. Do not use your bare hand.
  
  
• Flush area with seawater. Do not use fresh water, urine or alcohol as these will trigger the firing of stinging cells called nematocysts. Do not rub area with sand clothing or your beach towel. Do not use vinegar because it tends to aggravate the inflammation.
  
  
• To neutralize the toxins, immerse the area in hot water (113°F/45°C) for 30 to 90 minutes. If hot water is not available use ice, which will numb the area affected area.
  
  
• Aspirin or ibuprofen may be used to relieve the pain.
  
  
• Seek medical assistance immediately if the person who was stung has any difficulty breathing.
  
  
• If itching persists apply topical hydrocortisone cream (Benedryl). This medication is usualy available over-the-counter at local pharmacies.

In short, treat Portuguese Man O'War as you would a fire. You need not be afraid of them, just cautious around them.

While more common on Tobago, you should be aware of the Manchioneel or Poison Apple Tree. The Manchioneel is a medium size tree with downward pointing shiny leaves that bears small sweet-smelling, green, apple-like fruit, which can cause death if eaten. The indigenous Caribs used the white sap from broken twigs to poison their arrow heads.

 Unsuspecting Travelers 

Unsuspecting travelers most often fall victim to the Poison Apple Tree when using the tree to shelter from the rain at the beach. The water runs off the leaves and on to the skin causing blisters and a rash. Handling the leaves directly has the same result. Getting rain run off in your eyes can potentially ruin your vacation

Do not allow children to climb in Manchioneel trees, do not stand under them in the rain, do not touch the leaves or eat the fruit.

Trinidad beaches are not manicured for tourist. Most beaches in Trinidad are natural and untouched; consequently, sitting under coconut trees can be hazardous, and here's why...

 What is There to Know About Coconut Trees? 

Coconut trees are normally groomed at beach resorts to prevent unsuspecting guests from being injured. While not an extremely common event, a 5-pound nut falling from a height of 30 feet can have serious consequences, especially if it encounters your coconut (your head) on the way down. The same is true for coconut palm branches; however, both branches and nuts tend to fall relatively close to the tree, so they are easily avoided.

 Coconut Tree Safety 

The easiest way to avoid being stuck by a falling coconut is simply: do not to sit directly under a coconut trees.

These beautiful tropical palms make great backdrops for pictures. They are even called the "tree of life" because they provide both shelter and nourishment. Visit Manzanilla Beach and the Cocal to experience a coconut forest.

Unless local friends accompany you, it is always a good idea to travel in groups in unknown and secluded areas. This advice is even more important at night, it's one of our most important vacation safety tips.

Trinidadians can be a very warm and friendly people but you never know whom you might meet. As a rule, ere on the side of caution when traveling in a foreign country. So remember, no moonlight walks on deserted beaches. And as my granny would say... "It's better to be safe than sorry" because we want you enjoy your adventure so much that you return, again and again.

 Remember these Vacation Safety Tips 

Here's another cliché... "To be forewarned is to be forearmed". Our beach-vacation safety tips provide enough local insight to make every trip to the beach an uneventful yet memorable experience. You may never need any of the information provided here; however... and I promise this is my last cliché... "knowledge is power". Here's wishing you safe adventures in amazing Trinidad and Tobago, and don't forget your sunscreen.