JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Being caught in a rip current in the ocean can be scary.
But beach rescue teams and weather forecasters say one of the most important tips for survival is not to panic.
It’s nearly impossible to fight a rip current directly, and many swimmers who get in trouble tire themselves out trying to get back to the beach.
Remain calm and look for a chance to swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the rip current’s grip. It will eventually dissipate, but might leave you out in deeper water.
That’s why, if possible, it’s best to swim near a lifeguard station.
News4JAX meteorologist, former lifeguard and longtime surfer Mark Collins shared an explanation of how to avoid and escape rip currents. Watch the video above
Warnings
Flags with different colors are used to warn beachgoers of various hazards.
Three flags warn of surf and rip current conditions.
Red means a high hazard, yellow means a moderate threat and green means low danger.
There’s also purple for dangerous sea life, such as jellyfish, and double red when a beach is closed for any reason.
With the naked eye, you can watch for no waves breaking, water discoloration, and X-shaped waves to spot a possible rip current.
The National Weather Service posts rip current risks on its websites around the coasts and has developed a computer model that can predict when conditions exist that may lead to their formation up to six days in advance for the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam.
Rip current rescue?
It can be dangerous to try to rescue someone caught in a rip current, officials say. Often, the people trying to perform the rescue can get into trouble themselves.
It’s best to find a lifeguard, if there is one, or call 911 if a struggling swimmer is spotted. People on shore can also try to tell the person to swim parallel to shore.
“Never swim alone. And always make sure that there’s an adult. And make sure that you don’t overestimate your abilities. Know your limits,” said Daniel Barnickel of Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue.