If you are blessed enough to live on the coast at any point in your life, you can agree that it engulfs you into a constant state of vacation mode... to the point where you almost feel guilty. To those of you who have never lived on the coast, I’m sure that you can still agree that ocean themed house decor is the best kind of way to furnish any home (don’t lie, I know your bathroom has seashells on the walls). But sometimes we can underestimate the ambiguity of the ocean, and the dangers that may lurk below (or at) the surface. As someone who has lived on the coastline for most of their life, I can definitely say that although I adore living my life on the shoreline, I’m still scared sh*tless of the water sometimes. If you share similar attitudes, you might have found yourself having some of these thoughts also.

1. If a tsunami happens, we’re all S.O.L.

If the water at the beach starts quickly receding, you better turn over and kiss your butt goodbye because it’s already too late.

2. Rip tides are THE scariest thing to get caught in.

It’s all fun and games until you can’t touch the bottom anymore and you’re swallowing gallons of water trying to swim to shore.

3. I'm sorry, did the lifeguard just call for bacteria that causes RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS?!

In some places where the ocean is very warm, bacteria can grow and spread through mist causing breathing problems, pain in the chest area, and even gastrointestinal problems (can you say, teenage mutant ninja turdles?).

4. Getting stuck in that area where waves keep crashing on you and you can’t get away.

Oh yay! More water to swallow now that these 8 ft. walls of water keep falling on top of me!

5. OBVIOUSLY SHARKS ARE NOT CHILL.

Must I explain myself further...

6. But also all the other creepy things that are down there.

There are literally infinite amounts of species that have either sharp teeth, tentacles, and poisonous spikes or all of the above! And they’re all bloodthirsty.

7. Walking through seaweed that makes it impossible to see the bottom is fun.

Nothing is worse than having to walk through nasty, slimey, disgusting seaweed, especially when it sits at the bottom and you can’t see the crab underneath just WAITING to snap at your toes that will draw blood and attract SHARKS.

8. Saying a prayer in your head every time your friend starts whipping their boat from side to side at 50 MPH.

If this boat overturns I will most likely forget all memory of knowing how to swim and drown.

9. When the boogie boarder just nearly took your head.

Everyone knows that obnoxious kid who barrels through frolicing swimmers with their boogie board that you have to actively avoid because the tide keeps pushing him your way.

10. The horror that is amplified UVA rays while you’re in, around, or near water.

Anyone who has snorkeled in tropical areas knows that no amount of sunscreen can prepare you from the godawful sunburn you are certainly going to get from floating face down in the water for hours on end.