How To Survive Riptides
- August 3, 2009
- 6,594 Views
from
Tripp Watt
(and 2 others) Subscribe
- Voice Over Artist Brandon Potter
-
Music
Jiri Janis
A riptide can be terrifying. But if you keep your cool and know what to do, you’ll stay safe.
You Will Need
- Precautions
- Riptide telltale signs
- The ability to remain calm
Only swim when a lifeguard is on duty and, when you do, stay between the flags. If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t go in the water alone.
Step 1
If you’re a strong swimmer, swim parallel to the shoreline. The important thing is to not try to fight the riptide by attempting to swim to shore; you’ll just wear yourself out.
Step 2
Don’t swim when rip current advisories are in effect. On some beaches, colored flags represent the conditions: red for strong currents, which often also means no swimming, yellow for moderate conditions, and green for smooth sailing. If you’re unsure, ask a lifeguard.
Many riptides flow in a circular direction, eventually returning you to the shore.
Step 3
Know what it is. Technically called a rip current, a riptide is a powerful, channeled current of water flowing away from the shore.
Stay away from piers, since riptides are commonly found near them.
Step 4
Know how to recognize one: Bubbles on the surface of the water move toward the sea, and the area appears darker than the rest of the water. Because waves don’t break as often near a rip, the water often appears deceptively calm.
Beware of riptides that are sandy-colored; that means the riptide is so powerful it’s churning up sand from the bottom.
Step 5
If you get stuck in a riptide, stay calm. If you’re not a strong swimmer, roll on your back and let the riptide carry you just beyond the waves, where the current will lose power. Then stand up or tread water and wave to the shore for help.
A strong rip current can flow faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim.
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Comments (2)
I wish I would seen this ";how to"; video on riptides before I went swimming in the ocean yesterday! I was caught in a riptide yesterday while at the beach. No one was at the beach except my husband, daughter and some children playing about a mile away. I finally gave in to screaming for Jesus' help. I didn't know anything about ";riptides"; and didn't know what to do. I thought my husband was telling me to go under... the wave as he had shown me to do when we first got in the water. So, after deciding that it was hopeless, and out of breath and a belly full of sea water - I tried going underneath the waves by putting my feet down -- trying to touch the bottom...the first wave hit me in the behind and sent me forward about 10 feet, the second wave came and hit me again in the rump and sent me another 20 feet forward...that was enough that I was able to stand and walk in. I was burping the whole way in from swallowing so much water and I was dizzy from the lack of air. Thank you Jesus for your mercy -- I feel very lucky to be alive to tell about it. I love you, Jesus!!!
about 1 year ago by Linda_Naber_Malcolm
i really like it! i like the way it present the message... that's great!
over 2 years ago by WGAC
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