Local lifeguards demonstrate the danger of sand collapses

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — With the Fourth of July just days away, lifeguards want you to know about a little mentioned danger on the beach.

It’s the sand itself.

A week ago, a 10-year-old boy was rescued after the sand collapsed all around him.

When you think of dangerous things at the beach, usually you think of big waves and rip currents, sting rays and sharks.

But you don’t have to be in the water to get in trouble.

The sand itself can, and has, swallowed people up. In fact, it happened about a week ago.

A 10-year-old boy had to be rescued after the sand collapsed around the hole he was digging on the beach in Encinitas.

He was lucky.

Lifeguards, wanting to get the point across, demonstrated this hazard using dummies on the beach.

According to lifeguards, if you are ever in this situation, dig with plastic buckets or with your hands. Metal shovels can be dangerous. Don’t wait. As soon as there is a problem, jump into action and immediately contact a lifeguard.