ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -
Staying cool down the shore is turning out to be a little more risky this summer. The numbers aren't huge, but they are startling.
Last year at this time, AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center in Atlantic City had treated 11 people for beach or water-related injuries. This summer, that number has more than doubled.
One of the victims includes Timmy Fitzpatrick, a 12-year-old boy from Somers Point, whose leg is immobilized in a boot. It's not how Timmy planned to spend his summer.
"All my friends are on the beach every day, and I'm on the couch watching TV," Timmy said with a smile. He's recovering from a bad spill on his surfboard, in June. Still, he's lucky.
"It could have been a lot worse," Timmy readily concedes. "I could have gotten cut on my neck, could have got cut deeper than this, could have bled out more, could have been a lot worse."
Like another victim brought to AtlantiCare this week, who could be facing paralysis. "This vertebrae is broken," Trauma Surgeon Dr. Catherine Dudick showed FOX 29 on the victim's x-ray. "See the crack here."
Over the last week alone, the trauma center has treated eight people for spinal cord injuries.
So, why is this summer so much worse?
"We have a shore line this year that's a little steeper than our normal gradual decline, so when there's steeper shore line at high tide, the waves break almost directly on the beach," explained Mark Jamieson, a trainer for the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
And when that happens, there's not much room for error.
"In shallow water, rough surf can easily cause you to strike your head against the sand, and that's how we see most of our neck injuries occur," Dr. Dudick said.
On a perfect day, when the beach is packed, the risk goes up even more.
Boarders like Tim Mullen have to handle the waves and the kids.
"Steer, you gotta learn how to steer," Mullen told FOX 29.
One collision could easily cause a spinal injury, and a lifetime of regret.
"You can lose use of your arms and your legs. You can difficulty swallowing, feeding tubes," Dr. Dudick said. "It makes sense to take precautions and be safe out there while you're trying to have fun."
Mark Jamieson provided three tips for staying safe at the beach. First, walk, don't run into the surf. That will give you an opportunity to gauge the depth of the water.
Next, watch out for sand bars.
And finally, if you go body surfing, be sure to hold your arms in front of your head. If you crash, your hands will take the brunt of the impact, not your head and neck.
