Anyone ever swam in the ocean? Does the salt water burn your eyes if you don't wear goggles?

[rnmcd]

I am under the impression that salt water would be much much worse than chlorinated swimming pool water.

But I see that surfers don't wear goggles and a lot of the pictures in magazines show swimmmers and snorkelers without goggles.....

 

[SilentZero]

Being in hawaii I don't swim in the ocean as much as people would think...but I think that highly chlorinated pools are much worse on my eyes than salt water. Haven't had any eye problems while in the ocean, although ive had many in pools.

 

[anno]

tears are salt water..

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: anno
tears are salt water..

Holy crap I never thought of that!

 

[EvilYoda]

It might irritate your eyes, but it won't be as bad as how dry your skin will be, and how much you'll be spitting, due to all the salt. Drink lots of water when you go back to land, since you can get easily dehydrated if you're not used to it.

<---Learned this the hard way a few months ago

 

[notfred]

Based on 10 years of surfing experience, salt water does not hurt my eyes.

 

[Dedpuhl]

I've swam in the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico and didn't experience any burning sensation....UNTIL I got sand in my eyes.

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
It might irritate your eyes, but it won't be as bad as how dry your skin will be, and how much you'll be spitting, due to all the salt. Drink lots of water when you go back to land, since you can get easily dehydrated if you're not used to it.

<---Learned this the hard way a few months ago

so where did you go to evilyoda?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I surf in the ocean all the time. I get salt water in my eyes all the time. It stings a slight bit at first but you get used to it. It doesn't burn like chlorine does in pools. Perfectly harmless.

 

[whaleskinrug]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Being in hawaii I don't swim in the ocean as much as people would think...but I think that highly chlorinated pools are much worse on my eyes than salt water. Haven't had any eye problems while in the ocean, although ive had many in pools.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: anno
tears are salt water..

Holy crap I never thought of that!

. Note that while putting salt in a wound hurts like hell, putting salt water on a wound (say a cancer sore/cold sore - I don't recall getting salt water in any other type of injury) helps.

 

Originally posted by: notfred
Based on 10 years of surfing experience, salt water does not hurt my eyes.

Nor my nasal cavities, blow it out in one nice farmer handkerchief.

 

[MazerRackham]

Salt water doesn't really irritate my eyes, but all the urine sure does!

 

[AlmostFunny]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: anno
tears are salt water..

Holy crap I never thought of that!

For tewnty years ive been scared to open my eyes in the ocean. i dont think i would really want to see what was under there anyway .:Q

 

[WhiteKnight]

What bothers me more is that sometimes right on the beach there's sand floating around in the water and that can get in your eyes too.

 

[Broohaha]

my eyes! teh g0ggles! they do nothing!

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
I am under the impression that salt water would be much much worse than chlorinated swimming pool water.

But I see that surfers don't wear goggles and a lot of the pictures in magazines show swimmmers and snorkelers without goggles.....

It is quite the opposite. Salt water is good. You can easily look under water without goggles in salt water. Not a sharp view but it works.
Chlorine = not good for your eyes.

 

[mztykal]

No it doesn't burn your eyes, but you gotta figure I live in Hawaii and used to be at the beach weekly. And it's not hard to swim under water without goggles, doesn't burn, just a little blurry.

 

[Gravity]

I live in Florida and the salt water is good for your eyes, skin and sinuses. You might want to try to keep out of your lungs but hey, do your best.

Gravity

 

[Eli]

No.

It's certainly less irritating than a chlorinated swimming pool.

Blech.

 

[dman]

No, the dumped sewage and tar might bother you though. :frown:

I always knew that it was bad, but, until I went on a cruise and saw the clear blue stuff... I had no idea. It's simply gross how much crap is in the ocean off the coast. Blech.