There are some things that become deeply engrained in those who grow up in Bermuda and other things you should learn to do if you’re going to live here.
1. How to Get out of a Riptide
If you don’t know this by now, here’s all the information you need: rip currents pull swimmers away from shore, but you shouldn’t swim against them! Swim parallel to the shore in order to get out of the rip current and slowly swim diagonally back in.
2. Treating a Portuguese Man O’ War Sting
No, don’t pee on your aceboy. Peeing on a jellyfish sting can actually make it worse – the best course of action is to use vinegar to dab at the area, or if that’s not available, sea water. Before dabbing at anything though, make sure any of the nematocysts (or tentacles) still stuck to the skin are rinsed off in the ocean. When you get home, use shaving cream and a razor or cloth to shave off any leftover nematocysts.
3. How to Carry Just About Anything on Your Bike
We’ve all been there: need to be somewhere, it’s too far to walk, and you need to bring a 12-foot ladder with you. Naturally, it gets shoved on your bike. Every Bermudian needs the skills to carry things on a moped that were never designed to be there.
4. Drinking Safely
Bermudians are always the life of the party, but it’s imperative to know how to enjoy drinking safely. Always pre-plan transportation home by taxi or designated driver, make sure you eat before drinking, stay hydrated with H2O and alway keep watch over your drink, never leaving it unattended or accepting a drink from a stranger.
5. How to Make a Bermuda Kite
The Bermuda kite is a treasured part of our culture, and knowing how to craft one from scratch is a skill necessary if you’re going to call yourself Bermudian. If you have absolutely no idea where to start, take a look at this video and allow kite-making expert, Eugene O’Connor show you how.
6. Shooting a Plantain Bullet
Every Bermudian in youth must have learned this vital skill to stand a chance against relentless siblings. Plantain is that weed in your yard with the long stalk ending in a brown head with white pollen coming out of it. You’ve got to loop the stem around the head and fire with increasing power for more distance.
7. Knowing Instinctively When it’s Going to Rain
I don’t know if this one can be taught, I’m afraid. You just have to smell it in the air and feel it in your little Bermudian heart. Maybe also you took a sneaky peak at the weather radar, or spotted some cows lying down which tipped your instincts off.
8. Free Diving
How else are you going to bring lobsters back up for dinner? Or just dive for a nice shell or for a better look at a sea cucumber?
9. How to Clean your Tank
By law your tank has to be cleaned every six years; it’s important to do to prevent the build up of sediment, and the contamination of your water supply. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this guide on how to clean your tank, courtesy of the Bermuda Government.
10. Mixing a Rum Swizzle
The quintessential Bermudian summer drink is the rum swizzle, named after the traditional swizzle sticked formed using a branch from the All Spice tree. The official Goslings Rum recipe includes 4 ounces of Black Seal, 4 ounces of Goslings Gold, 5 ounces of pineapple juice, 5 ounces of orange juice, ¾ ounce grenadine, and 6 dashes of bitters.
11. How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Hurricanes are commonplace in Bermuda, but that doesn’t mean we should be blasé about them. Stock up on snacks, drinks and games for your hurricane party, but don’t forget the practical considerations to bring your family and assets through the storm safely. Check out tips on how to prepare here.
12. How to Conserve Water
We’ve all been there – one minute into a shower, all soaped up, and the water starts to spit and gives out, and your pump starts making awful noises. Someone’s used up all the water, again. Check out these articles from Bernews and the RG for some great water saving tips that will help both you and the planet.
13. How to Prevent Mould
There’s a constant battle with mould in Bermuda because of how damp our island is. Check out this article for tips on how to get rid of mould and reduce dampness in your house.
