Hey guys, there’s been some drownings around where I live (there’s always drownings in summer) because people going in the sea to escape the heat don’t know the safety procedures. So I thought I’d make this mini-PSA on rip current safety.
Rip currents are invisible channels where the water being pushed onto shore is being sucked out again. It forms a small, deceptively fast-moving path of water that drags you out to sea- even in water that appears clear & calm a rip current can pull you out very quickly.
If you get caught in a rip and find yourself being pulled out of your depth, don’t swim directly against the current. It’ll exhaust you and panic you because the rip will always be stronger than you are. You need to swim parallel to the shoreline! Rip currents only take up a small part of the waterfront and don’t go all the way out to sea, only just off the beach into deep water. Swimming parallel to the shore allows you to swim out of the current and back into the oncoming waves- they’ll push you back into shore again eventually.
Try not to lose hope when you’re swimming back to shore either; something that a lot of people don’t mention is that when you’re in the sea, it’s really hard to tell how quickly you’re swimming because everything looks the same. Trust me, you’re going faster than you think! Keep a steady pace and float on your back for a bit if you need to. The waves are working with you, you’re okay.
If you’re on a beach with a lifeguard (which you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE) you have to raise one hand over your head and shout that you need help. This should attract attention to you. Don’t swim at beaches with no lifeguards!
We’re all desperate to escape this stupid heat, I know. Thanks climate change. But a lot of the time, people who drown do so in situations they could’ve escaped if they just had the knowledge. Look after yourself!!
An absolutely crucial and fucking terrifying water-safety fact to piggyback on this: drowning is so common because people don’t know what it actually looks like.
My 7-year-old slipped underwater at a relative’s pool recently, and it happened so fucking fast and quietly that if I hadn’t been staying within arm’s reach and keeping my eyes glued to her, I would have had no idea what was happening. Anyone can literally get in over their heads, but kids are terrible at not being constantly in danger. Please, please be more careful than you think you need to.
https://www.watersafetymagazine.com/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/
