+56 Most people are far too scared of the ocean, amirite?

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I've watched friends die in the ocean. I've been pulled out, semi-unconscious. Those who spend the most time in the ocean have a healthy fear of it. If you don't, you should. The more time you spend in it, the greater the chance you will. Water is incredibly powerful, and wholly uncontrollable.

by Realistic_Shop5218 2 days ago

So you're in Australia? I will never not be afraid of the ocean there - unless it's in a netted off section of very calm beach with only cute little crabbies and fishies.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

TBF, OP said that sharks aren't all that dangerous, not shark attacks. Since they so rarely attack, sharks aren't all that dangerous. The attacks themselves are, but not sharks as a whole.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Exactly. Whites can be nasty, but in most situations, if you can see the shark approaching, and it's not immediately darting at you, it's probably not going to bite you. Definitely get out of the water, but I most shark attacks occur because the shark is confused by the splashing and shape of surfers, not because they go after random swimmers.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Yeah, I was really just trying to get at that they aren't really something to be worried about when you're in the water. They can absolutely be very dangerous though and you definitely should get back to shore if you see one.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

"The ocean isn't scary if you are a strong swimmer" yeah and knife fights are safer if you're proficient with knives 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

by MaximumMundane 2 days ago

You don't even necessarily have to be a strong swimmer to be safe, just a competent one. I have a bunch of friends who are lifeguards, and they've said on multiple occasions that they can essentially immediately tell who they're going to need to rescue the second they enter the water just by the way different people conduct themselves. Just be able to maneuver your body while underwater and look out for rips and you should be fine

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask people to know how to swim before going in the water.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

And yet your entire premise is you're annoyed that people have a reasonable fear and/or respect for the ocean, of which a major part in that decisionmaking is their personal ability to swim. You're being that person just because you're a better swimmer or more experienced with the ocean which MANY of us don't happen to live on or near.

by MaximumMundane 2 days ago

I'm not saying that there sneer dangers to the ocean, just that any competent person shouldn't have any serious concerns with general, shallow-water swimming. Even if you don't live by the oceans you almost definitely live by a pool, which is a perfect place to get used to swimming if you don't know where to start. Even once you do start swimming in the ocean, there's plenty of very beginner-friendly areas around the world that pose little to no threat to even the worst of swimmers. I'm not even annoyed at anyone, I just think many people have an unfounded fear of the ocean, which I completely understand.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

What pool do you speak of where folks can be in 4-5 foot waves and riptide? Your entire argument was built on the specifics of the ocean, not just the inherent danger of standing water 🤷‍♂️

by MaximumMundane 2 days ago

Learn how to tread water in the pool, get comfortable with waves and ocean water at a beginner-level area, and move up as you get more and more confident. I really think you're overestimating just how dangerous 4-5 foot waves are

by Anonymous 2 days ago

As someone who grew up in florida and has surfed in the same waters as sharks, the ocean is absolutely something that should be respected as dangerous. You are coming from a perspective of being familiar with the ocean and its dangers but the ones you mention are not obvious to the average person (you cant see and you can barely feel rip currents. Who tf knows to shuffle your feet unless someone told you or you researched it?) which make them worried that there is more they are missing. Personally, i would much prefer someone be hesitant and even fearful of the ocean if they arent familiar with it than overconfident and waste a lifeguards time saving someone who was reckless. If you are familiar with the ocean or have done your research, yes the ocean is a very safe place with a lot to offer but if you are unfamiliar with its dangers, there is a good chance you can fall victim to them.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

This is essentially what I'm trying to get at. Don't run before you know how to walk. Understand the dangers of swimming, and act competently and safely given the conditions. Do your research before going to any unfamiliar beaches, and adjust what you need to according to the challenges of that area.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Seeing how the ocean almost killed me, I think I have the right to be afraid of the ocean

by kileybuckridge 2 days ago

And you absolutely have that right, but as a whole, I think people really don't understand just how generally safe the ocean is.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

The ocean is way more dangerous than what most people think. It's not meant for us and we're simply out of our element.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

If you don't know how to swim, go in the water, and get injured, it's your fault, not the ocean's. Competent swimming in the ocean is not difficult, it just requires acclimation and practice. Once you know what you're doing, you're more than likely going to be perfectly fine.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

The ocean is a vast, mysterious, and scary place. Only an estimated 5% of it has been discovered.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

4-5 feet is barely above head-level and stingray attacks hurt like hell, but are easy to deal with. Also, rip currents are very easy to spot if you know what you're looking for (there's a bunch of guides online and lifeguards will be happy to point them out to you)

by Anonymous 2 days ago

But that's the point—the average person doesn't have the experience with the ocean to know what to look for so rip currents aren't "very easy" to spot and therefore are dangerous and scary. I keep seeing you say things like "competent swimming in the ocean just takes practice." Ok, but what about the vast number of people who don't live near the ocean or any large, fast moving body of water? They can't just practice and get comfortable with it like you apparently have. Which means they would (and should) be afraid if they come into contact with it. "Maybe it's just because I've spent a lot more time around the ocean than the average person…" Yes. That is precisely why you're not terrified of it and others are. But good on you for being an awesome swimmer and having advanced ocean-frolicking skills, I guess. All of us can't be you.

by Inevitable_Leek2520 2 days ago

Above head high is freaking high when you're in the ocean especially without a board. Look - I don't doubt you're experienced in the water but average people being afraid of the ocean and its potential dangers is not a problem. I'd say the reverse (people not being afraid enough) is more of an issue and your tone is making it sound like there is literally nothing to fear or be cautious about

by Anonymous 2 days ago

There are lots of things to be wary of in the ocean, 4-5ft waves aren't one of them. Just dive under and let the wave pass. You shouldn't be oblivious to the dangers of the ocean, but you should understand what exactly the risks are and what you're dealing with.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Easy to say when you haven't watched a friend get pulled under.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Are you referring to getting pulled under via a current or by an animal, because those are two very different things.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

My bad. I meant to say seeing someone you care about get eaten by a sea creature is scary. There was a time I would jump off the pier and not worry at all. I went scuba diving and loved it. Not anymore. Color me a coward and I will accept it.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Yeah no that would be terrifying. I've pretty much seen a friend of mine get pulled under the water via current every time I've been to the beach, but luckily never have had any serious run-ins with wild sea creatures.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Dude the ocean alone is scary without animals. I see the beauty and love to swim. I just am tto scared now to go any farther than a few feet from the beach.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Malcolm Jamal Warner would like a word

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I live many hours away from the ocean and I'm good with that.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

You absolutely shouldn't swim when it's above 4foot unless you are a strong swimmer and experienced with waves. Unless you are talking about wave face and not swell size?

by Anonymous 2 days ago

So you are talking about wave face and not swell size.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I'm taking about swell size. Most waves under 7ft or so are relatively safe to swim around in. Obviously you should be careful, but as long as you have the room to dive under and can tread water for a couple seconds, you'll be fine.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I get where you come from... It's not that you're saying the sea isn't dangerous but instead what you're saying is usually people's reaction to the sea is disproportionate.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Yes, absolutely

by Anonymous 2 days ago

The ocean in the Pacific Northwest is cold and pretty dangerous. People don't really swim in it unless they're surfing with wetsuits.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Hawaiian islands have legitimate risks in some areas though - tiger sharks and sneaker waves that ragdoll you across rocks. But a lot of other beaches are great, and I agree their waves are fun to swim/jump through. I'm wondering if what you're witnessing is a lot of tourists to these areas that are inexperienced and therefore reasonably afraid of something they don't know. Like when I was learning to drive, I was deathly afraid of merging onto freeways & changing lanes.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Safe, touristy beaches are where most people go to the beach, and yet I even see many of those people terrified of even entering the water. Obviously you shouldn't go into unsafe conditions, but that's really the case for all activities that involve some amount of risk.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

The only people in history who fearlessly thrived in the oceans were probably the Vikings. There is a certain group (I don't want to name them and get reported or something) who has always been scared of the ocean for some strange reason. They wrote plenty of fables about the mysterious creatures that reside in there. They were obviously not mariners. So you have the ones who were never afraid, the ones like me with a respectful fear but still go in, and the ones who will never dip a toe in the ocean. Different strokes for different folks. I would prefer my end of this life to be in the ocean. Becoming fish food is perfectly fine with me. When I die, if it happens on land, then I want to be food for a tree.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Damn dude, sorry to hear the parental unit was not caring in the way you needed. You sound tough from your upbringing, and if you ever have kids, I'm sure you'll be a better parent than the cards you were dealt.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I'm not bringing innocent kids to this screwed up world, and it's not hard to be a better parent than what I had to endure. My husband and I are childfree by choice and zero regrets here

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I'm one of those people.

by Inevitable_Leek2520 2 days ago

The ocean is to be respected, once you are out there you depend on your body or your craft, inaction or wrong judgement will kill you. I say this as someone who has spent most of his life in litoral zones and uses the sea as it's main hobby/sport be it surfing, sailing or fishing. Whenever I venture inside I am alerted of the wind, swell, and nearby sea creatures, sharks are a minor concern. OTOH jelly fishes, rip currents and reefs+swell are a bigger problem. Spend enough time in a coastal area and you will hear stories of fatalities.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Not unpopular….

by Curious-Schedule-615 2 days ago

Valid

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Every year or so somebody is killed by a shark in South Africa. A couple of people per year in Australia. Statistically yes it's unlikely to be attacked, but the idea that you could become that 1 random person any given time you wade into the water can be a bit terrifying. Personally I'm not afraid to get into the water in most places but there have been times when I was afraid.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

Drowning is a major cause of accidental deaths, so people being scared of unpredictable currents is absolutely justified. In fact, especially men should be more scared, looking at the statistics.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

i. can't. swim. i don't live near the ocean and even if i did i'd stay away from it

by Anonymous 1 day ago

I work on cargo ships in the North Sea and I actually agree. All the time when I tell people what I do, their first reaction is "isn't that super dangerous?" or "aren't you scared out there?". I think the social media portrayal of this job and the ocean has really made people think it's a lot scarier than it actually is. Most of those massive wave videos you see online are wide angle lens to make the sea action look bigger and taken during the worst conditions in very specific places around the world. The ocean is extremely dangerous, it absolutely needs to be respected and safety is of the utmost importance. But when you're already doing that due diligence, it's just not as scary on a day to day basis as people think. Rough weather is usually more of a nuisance than any kind of danger, with some notable exceptions of course.

by effertzgregoria 1 day ago

Was more referring to recreational swimming along the coasts but I completely agree with you. I've definitely experienced my fair share of rough waters while fishing and I find it more fun than scary. Don't know how it is as a job, but honestly it's a little like a theme park ride at some points, especially if you know that there's a very, very small chance the ship will capsize.

by Anonymous 1 day ago

100% noticed this too. I understand where the fear comes from, I just think it's unfounded.

by Anonymous 1 day ago