Knowing About Riptides Can Save Your Life
by Scott Gregory
If you have plans to come to the Florida gulf coast, please spend a few minutes and READ THIS. If you read nothing else on this site, please read this. It can save your life, and the life of those you love.
People who are considering moving to the area or vacationing here often ask me about sharks and hurricanes. What they never ask me about is a far more dangerous threat: drowning caused by riptides.
Let’s start with two important points so they don’t get lost in the shuffle:
• Swim only in designated swimming areas. If there is a red flag … STAY OUT OF THE WATER. This is not debatable. Stay out.
• If you are caught in a riptide, DO NOT FIGHT IT. This is what costs people their lives. Remain calm. More on this in a bit.
Nine people lost their lives in a two-day period in early June 2003 in drownings caused by riptides along the gulf coast of the Florida panhandle. More than 30 people have lost their lives in this area in the last two years due to drowning, most deaths attributed to riptides.
The deaths were tragic and pointless, and they happened because most people had no idea what to do or simply ignored posted signs about flags and what to do if caught in this situation. It’s time that this stops. Please, read this, and tell everyone you know and love who is coming to the gulf coast or already lives here to read this, too. Email it to them.
A rip current does not pull you under the water. A rip current pulls you AWAY from the beach. The first thing you must do is REMAIN CALM. Don’t panic. People drown because they fight the rip current, and grow exhausted, and no one is strong enough to win this battle.
Calmly swim PARALLEL to the beach until you are out of the rip current (the pulling stops).
If the current is too strong, then calmly remain afloat and “go with the flow” until the rip current dissipates. The rip current will not take you to Cuba. Even a strong one will take you no more than 100 yards out. Once you are out of the rip current, swim diagonally back to shore. If you need help, yell for help. Or, catch your breath before swimming back to shore.
The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80 percent of the rescues by ocean lifeguards involve saving those swept away by rip currents. Rip currents kill more people (100-plus) in the U.S. each year than lightning strikes and hurricanes combined, according to the National Weather Service.
A rip current is a seaward moving current that circulates water back to sea after it is pushed ashore by waves. Rip currents exist in areas where the strength of the waves are weakened by objects such as sand bars, piers, and even large groups of bathers. Rip currents often look like little rivers flowing away from shore.
Stay far away from piers when swimming. Rip currents often exist along the side of fixed objects in the water.
Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the surf conditions before entering the water.
Swim only in designated swimming areas, ideally within the view of a lifeguard, and NEVER swim alone.
Use common sense. If the surf looks too rough for you, it is.
The warning flags are red, yellow and blue. A yellow flag tells you to use caution, as some undertow and riptides are still possible. A blue flag designates calm water, and use usual care.
And, we already know that a red flag means stay out of the water. No exceptions for anyone.
Rip currents are not unique to the Florida gulf coast. They have been documented in almost every coastal location, including the Great Lakes, and can occur in large inland lakes, as well.
Don’t assume that a sunny and pleasant day means there will be no rip currents.
Watch for visual cues. You can sometimes see the riptides from the beach.
We all share a common bond that we love the beach and love this beautiful area. Let’s stay safe. Congratulations on your choice to educate yourself about riptides, and please spread the word and help save lives. Enjoy your time in paradise!
Scott Gregory
Realtor
Weichert Realtors SunSouth
http://www.SunnyBeaches.com
scott@sunnybeaches.com
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