Why am I passionate about this?
I am a coastal geologist with expertise in environmental issues related to coastal geomorphology, marine pollution, and coastal management. With a Ph.D. in Sea Sciences from the Universidad de Cádiz, I have contributed to the scientific community through my research, publication of over 100 scientific articles, and serving as the Editor of two international scientific journals—Ocean & Coastal Management and the Marine Pollution Bulletin. My research focuses on understanding and managing coastal hazards, marine pollution, and the impacts of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems. Of particular importance in terms of beach safety was my recent co-authorship of the article Integrated Strategies for the Management and Mitigation of Beach Accidents.
Nelson's book list on keeping your family safe on a beach vacation
Why did Nelson love this book?
This book was written in the wake of the drowning of a young boy by a strong offshore current that pulled him out of the hands of his father. This Bostonian implored me to work to prevent this from happening to others, but at that time, beach communities did not even want signs to be posted to warn of rip currents for fear that it would result in loss of tourism.
While most people fear sharks in the wake of the Jaws series of movies, rip currents are the real killers. Yet they are often unrecognized by the public without the scientific understanding to spot them and how to escape their grasp. In addition to the first two chapters on sharks and rip currents, the Beach Smart chapter provides insightful advice on how to avoid the “red lobster” sunburn and skin cancer, red tides, and jellyfish.
1 author picked Dr. Beach's Survival Guide as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Designed for beachgoers, this guide is filled with surprising information about how to avoid dangers both large and small while at the beach. Stephen Leatherman (otherwise known as Dr Beach) introduces the gamut of beach hazards, from sharks to rip currents to jellyfish, revealing which dangers should be of greatest concern and how best to minimize their risks. His scientifically sound advice, interspersed with facts and anecdotes, should make this work a useful reference for the travellers and vacationers who visit the ocean shore every year. There are practical answers to these intriguing questions and more: which US beach records…