Did you know that digging in sand at the beach could be more dangerous than a shark attack? Coastal science researcher Stephen P. Leatherman has a warning for the millions of Americans heading for a day of fun in the sun this summer: Don’t dig too deep. A deep hole can collapse in on a person, and can be extremely difficult to escape from. Some research suggests that more people die from being suffocated by sand than from shark attacks. This is because sand is unstable and can be surprisingly heavy. Rescuers trying to help a buried victim may find that sand refills the hole over and over again. For safety, Leatherman suggests never digging a hole deeper than the knee height of the shortest person with you. If someone does get buried, focus on exposing their mouth and removing sand from their chest. (Study Finds)
Phone Topic: How do you stay safe at the beach?