Swimming is the number one recreational activity in Texas. Swimming also accounts for half of the water-related deaths in the state each year. There are some precautions that apply in any water. The most important are obvious, but bear repeating.

Your best insurance against drowning is learning to swim. If you cannot master the complete technique, at least learn to tread water so you can yell or wave your arms for attention should you find yourself in difficulty. Don't overestimate your swimming ability.

Don't rely on inner tubes, plastic air mattresses. They may have a place, but it certainly is not in the open waters of the Gulf. Too many times the unexpected happens - the inflatable springs a leak, you lose your balance or someone accidentally tips you over. Whatever the cause, the result is the same - you suddenly find yourself in water over your head with the inflatable out of reach. For a non-swimmer, this may prove fatal.

Swim where trained lifeguards are on duty.

Protect yourself against sunburn. You can become sunburned even on cloudy or overcasts days. Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the skin, regardless of the color of that skin. You should wear a high SPF sunscreen (15 or higher) wear loose fitting light colored clothing, hat & sunglasses.

Also, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine free liquid to prevent dehydration.

Many beaches use a flag warning system to keep beachgoers informed about daily conditions. Learn the system - and what each flag means - before going into the water. These flags are flown from the lifeguard stands along the beachfront. The color code is:

• Yellow indicates caution should be used when entering any body of water. This flag is flown for normal conditions to remind swimmers to stay alert.
• Red is flown when conditions are determined to be out of the ordinary, such as presence of strong wind, strong current or large surf. Adult swimmers should stay in water no more than waist deep and non-swimmers and children should be kept along the surf line.
• Blue indicates a potential problem with jellyfish, Portuguese man-o-war, stingrays or other marine life that could be a hazard for swimmers. Blue flags can be used in combination with other flags.

Stinging jellyfish abound the Gulf waters and randomly sting whatever they touch. The most dangerous stinging jellyfish is the Portuguese man-o-war, a community of animals called zooids. This most obvious zooid is a purple float with its tentacles dangling in the water. Lifting the tentacle from the skin and dousing the area with vinegar brings relief. A paste of meat tenderizer and vinegar applied to the stings will counteract the toxin. Do not rub the area with sand - this will only ensure that all the stinging cells fire. And remember just because the man-o-war or jellyfish is washed up on the beach does not mean that you are safe. The tentacles can still sting. Avoid stomping them or smacking them with a stick.

Stingrays frequent shallow Gulf waters and can thrust a sharp shaft into an offending foot or ankle when stepped on. This shaft, located at the base of the stingray's tail must be handled carefully, usually surgically, because the spines point backward and prevent easy removal. One good preventive action is to shuffle your feet while wading. When disturbed, the stingray will move away.

Swimmers, particularly children are advised to wear some type of footgear when in the Gulf or on the beach. Broken glass and sharp shell remnants are everywhere, and children often fail to watch where they are going. Remember there is a high concentration of bacteria on objects in the water and near the beach. Clean even minor wounds well and monitor for signs of infection.