Keeping Season’s Deaths In Perspective

It’s unfortunate, but the most memorable aspect of this 2014 season in Ocean City is negative in nature. It will be all the tragedies that have occurred in the ocean this year.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 is a day emergency responders will not soon forget in Ocean City, as two people lost their lives after getting in trouble in the ocean, bringing the total number of ocean deaths this year to six. When adding in the death of a Pennsylvania man last month in a fight, that means seven people have died while visiting Ocean City this year. Add to this a drowning death on Assateague in August and the number balloons to eight.

It’s been the deadliest summer in Ocean City waters we can remember, but it’s important in these times to keep these fatalities in their proper perspective.

One death is too many and the fact seven visiting families lost loved ones in ocean-related incidents this year is obviously disturbing. However, a realistic perspective is needed.

Millions of people swim in the ocean each summer and unfortunately there are a small number who get hurt or worse die. Sometimes it’s their fault because they are inexperienced and making the wrong decisions to head in the water without lifeguards. In other cases, it’s other health ailments that contribute to an untimely demise.

Every unexpected death has its own unique story, and the only commonality is the sorrow involved for the family members and people who tried unsuccessfully to save the life.

“Today is a sad day for the entire Ocean City community,” said Emergency Services Joe Theobald of Wednesday’s two fatalities. “Throughout the day, our SRT’s were educating the public about the rough surf and dangerous rip currents. Our emergency personnel did an extraordinary job and had they not responded as quickly and professionally as they did, today could have been much worse.”

Each death is taken to heart by members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, particularly those that occur while lifeguards are on duty. Those are viewed as avoidable and the lifeguards involved in the rescue struggle when the reality is so grim.

As the lifeguards prepare to end a season many of them will never forget, we do think it’s appropriate more this year than ever to applaud their dedicated efforts. Anyone who has been to the beach in Ocean City knows it’s a tough and thankless job and the lifeguards routinely show outstanding dedication and skills. This season’s high death toll does nothing to undermine their abilities and supreme goal of protecting swimmers.

While there is much debate over the ocean conditions this summer and the impact the off-season beach replenishment had on currents, our belief is most of the incidents occurred due to misjudgments and offshore storms bringing heavier surge than normally experienced in Ocean City in the summer months.

One thing is for sure the beach patrol is not to blame and as the lifeguards end their season on Sunday they should be proud of the protection they provided this summer. They saved lives on a daily basis, although that’s not always headline worthy. It will unfortunately be the lives lost that will be most memorable to them. That’s a shame and we hope time brings these tragedies into their proper perspective in the weeks and months ahead.