Ocean Safety Signs

Warning Level: DANGEROUS. . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description:Large powerful waves are generated by winds and storms at sea sometimes thousands of miles from the Hawaiian Islands. Seasonal high surf occurs on all shores of O'ahu. Typically, shorelines facing North, East and West receive high surf during Winter months. Shores facing Southeast and Southwest receive high surf during Summer months. If you're uncertain of your abilities, don't go into the ocean during high surf, and heed all posted high surf warnings! Your life could depend on it!

Comments: Surf on the North shore may reach heights of twenty-five feet plus, and on the West shore, fifteen feet plus!
Warning Level: DANGEROUS. . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description:These are large waves originating from deep water breaking on to rocky ledges. However, this condition can occur suddenly, and unexpectedly even when the water appears to be calm.

Comments: Be very cautious when walking along rocky coastlines where waves are breaking. Rocks become slippery, and are sharp, abrasive lava stone. Lava is very porous and crumbles easily. Don't ever go into the wet rocky zone. The ocean is unpredictable and has been known to wash people away. Don't put yourself in a position where you could be swept away. Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!
Warning Level: DANGEROUS. . . a potential for loss of life or limb exists.

Condition Description:These are swift moving channels of water against which it is difficult to swim. Strong currents frequently accompany high surf and rapid tide changes, and can be recognized as a turbulent channel of water between areas where waves are breaking.

Comments: When caught in a strong current, try to keep a level head, and don't panic! Wave one or both hands in the air, and scream or call for help. Swim diagonally to the current, not against it. Please heed all posted warnings! Your life could depend on it!
Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:This is the condition when large waves break directly on the shore. Shorebreaks are unpredictable and dangerous. They have caused many serious neck and spinal injuries to both experienced and inexperienced bodysurfers and swimmers.

Comments: Small waves can be very dangerous, too! Be sure to ask a lifeguard about the wave conditions at the beach you may be attending. Be especially careful when the surf's up and running fast!
Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:O'ahu is an Island and its beaches and reefs do not extend a long distance as some beach areas elsewhere in the world. The "shelf" of the Island rapidly begins to decline and waters become very deep within short distances from the shore.

Comments: There are also deep holes and caves in some places close to the shoreline caused by collapsed lava tubes or naturally occurring conditions. Even experienced swimmers and divers have been "sucked" into these holes or caves - especially during fast currents and high waves. If you are new to a beach, or even if you are not, ask a lifeguard about any particular or unique conditions of the ocean nearby such as drop points, location of deep holes or caves, etc.
Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:Naturally occurring shore rocks become very slippery. Waves hitting a person on slippery rocks equal a potential fall and resulting injury or other trauma.

Comments: Remember - Be very cautious when walking along rocky coastlines where waves are breaking. Don't ever go into the wet rocky zone. The ocean is unpredictable and has been known to wash people away. Don't put yourself in a position where you could be swept away. Please heed all posted warnings! Your life might depend on it!
Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:Offshore winds combined with ocean currents often "push" stinging blue jellyfish (the Portuguese Man-of-War) to the shore. The stings of these jellyfish can be quite painful and even life threatening for some.

Comments: Should you be stung, see a lifeguard for minor first aid assistance, if necessary. City and County of Honolulu lifeguards can radio or call for an emergency ground or helicopter emergency medical ambulance in very severe circumstances. These stings cause anaphylactic shock in some persons some of the severe symptomatic manifestations include shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest. IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION MAY BE REQUIRED! (Note: Other jellyfish and sea anemones can cause similar severe reactions.)
Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:It has been determined that swimming can be very hazardous in the vicinity.

Comments: This sign is posted when natural or other conditions may cause severe bodily harm.Such conditions could include high surf, hurricane warning or alerts, tsunami (e.g.tidal waves), and so forth. Such signs are also posted when dangerous or venomous organisms (e.g. sharks, portuguese man-of-war) maybe, or have been sighted in the area.

Warning Level: HAZARDOUS

Condition Description:It has been professionally determined that it would be dangerous to dive into the water in the immediate vicinity due to threatening natural or other conditions.

Comments: Diving into unknown waters, simply, can be hazardous. Diving in posted areas can result in serious bodily injury or broken necks.