NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — When the winds pick up and storms approach, it's important to keep safety in mind if you're going to be in or around the water.

Dr. Chris McDonald, a spine surgeon at University Orthopedics, noted that whenever there's a big storm, there's an increase in surf-related injuries.

"The most basic ones can be, you just tweaked your neck and rub it off and take some meds and you'll be fine," McDonald told 12 News. "But ... paralysis of both your upper and lower extremities is not uncommon. I mean, multiple times a year, we treat people who dislocated their neck and that's life-altering."

McDonald said when the surf is rough or choppy, it may be a better idea to stay out of the water.

"Surfing can be really dangerous," he explained. "Diving in these shallow waters

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