I agree that the dip in the ocean makes sense. For one very big reason. If he was involved in a messy rescue he couldn't guarantee that he would make it home before he had to stop for another rescue. So to me it makes perfect sense that he would take a dip in the nearest body of water to get at least partially cleaned off, ie. the nearest ocean, lake, pond, river probably the bigger the better. Or even have the firemen rinse him off with their hoses, which I believe has been used in a story or two.
