Set the timer to 40 seconds

Online timer for 40 seconds

Back under the beach shower for a second run, you can concentrate on the sand still clinging between your toes rather than guessing how long you have been rinsing. Forty seconds gives you a brief, defined pass over your feet and ankles while others wait nearby, with enough time to check the stubborn patches around your thongs before stepping away.

During that second rinse, the finish signal needs to reach you over running water, nearby conversations and the surf. If your phone is paired with headphones tucked inside a beach bag, the sound may play through them without you noticing. A visible countdown can help when the screen remains within sight, while vibration against a solid bench is easier to detect than vibration buried under a towel.

With sandy feet beneath the tap again, a phone is usually more practical than a laptop because it can sit close enough for you to glance at the remaining time. A laptop left near salt spray and wet footprints adds an unnecessary distraction. The short interval suits a screen that can be positioned on a dry ledge, where you can follow it without handling the device with wet hands.