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Honolulu Ocean Safety officials Thursday warned the public that what one sees on social media can be deceiving and dangerous. Read more

Honolulu Ocean Safety officials Thursday warned the public that what one sees on social media can be deceiving and dangerous.

Whether someone is jumping off of cliffs, doing a backflip into the ocean or surfing big waves, it is best to do some homework and know one’s limits, according to Kevin Allen, Ocean Safety operations chief.

“With social media just because you see something that looks unbelievable, and it looks easy and everybody should do it, you know what? It can be deceiving,” said Allen. “So please. Do your homework and make sure you have a safety mechanism just in case something goes wrong.”

Social media is requiring lifeguards to conduct rescues in areas that were not frequented as much 10 or 15 years ago, he said, including unguarded beaches and off-the-beaten-path spots. Now lifeguards are required to be mobile responders.

On Wednesday lifeguards rescued two visiting males, ages 19 and 23, from the water at Spitting Cave in Portlock, which is often glamorized on social media.

It has been a “hot spot” for the last two months, according to Allen, with lifeguards performing numerous rescues. While it is a beautiful place, he said, it can also be deadly.

Many visitors who jump into the churning ocean from the cliffs put themselves in danger of being swept out to sea or cut by the surrounding rocks.

In June lifeguards rescued a 21-year-old man who had jumped into the ocean but was unable to make his way back out. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A few days later firefighters found another 21-year-old man who had jumped into the water at Spitting Cave unresponsive about 60 feet beneath the surface. He later died.

Just two weeks ago, on the afternoon of July 14, a couple that was reportedly taking photos at Lanai Lookout got swept into the ocean and pounded by waves. Fortunately, bystanders Maira Herrera and Rafael Chavez Contreras, also visitors, saw what happened and called 911 immediately.

Honolulu lifeguards rescued the man, 25, and woman 26, and were able to bring both to shore. They were transported in stable condition to a trauma center.

There was a high-surf advisory for south shores that day, with surf in the 10- to 15-foot range.

It was a scary event to witness, according to Herrera, especially while on vacation. She said lifeguards responded within nine minutes, and she was relieved that the couple was rescued. Contreras captured the footage on his cellphone. It is also a reminder of how powerful and dangerous the ocean can be, despite its beauty.

Other potentially dangerous spots, according to Ocean Safety spokeswoman Shayne Enright, include China Wall in Portlock, Sharks Cove and Laie Point on Oahu’s North Shore, and Mermaid Cave in Waianae.

In 2018, Honolulu Ocean Safety performed 2,148 rescues and took more than 1 million preventive actions. There were 14 drownings throughout the island, half of which were at Hanauma Bay.

Ocean drowning is the fourth leading cause of injury-related death in Hawaii and is, by far, the leading cause for visitors, according to the state Health Department. More than half — 55% — of ocean-drowning victims are visitors, who are 10 times more likely to drown than Hawaii residents.

While social media can glamorize and offer misleading information, it can also be a tool to educate others about the dangers of the ocean.

Lifeguards from across the state are attending an annual ocean safety and drowning prevention conference in Waikiki today. More tips and information about beach safety are available at hioceansafety.com.