When you go to the beach and see a spot with no waves, don’t come closer
It is a rip current, which can appear RANDOMLY along the coast. This area will have a darker color because the water there is deeper than normal, the water surface is calmer and the waves are smaller…
Once you step in here, the water will sweep you out into the middle of the sea at such a fast speed that an Olympic athlete is unlikely to be able to swim back. This is also the cause of 80% of drownings at sea.
If you get swept away by this current, the first thing to do is stay calm, then swim horizontally to escape, don’t try to swim towards the shore.
An area of calm water without waves is a rip current and can be a sign of strong currents pulling water offshore. Other indicators of a rip current include a difference in water color, a line of foam or debris moving seaward, or a gap in the incoming wave pattern. If you see these signs, stay out of the water and look for a lifeguard.
How to identify a rip current:
Lack of breaking waves: A calm, flat area where waves should be breaking is a common sign of a rip current.
Different color water: A channel of water that is a different color due to sand or sediment being pulled out to sea is another indicator.
Foam or debris: A line of foam or debris moving steadily offshore can also signal a rip current.
Choppy or churning water: In contrast to the calm area, the water within a rip current might appear choppy or churning.
What to do if you spot a rip current:
Stay out of the water: Do not swim in the area.
Alert others: Tell other beachgoers or swimmers about the dangerous condition.
Find a lifeguard: Locate a lifeguard and inform them about the rip current.
What to do if you are caught in a rip current:
Don’t panic: Stay calm and do not try to swim directly against the current.
Swim parallel to the shore: The best escape strategy is to swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the rip.
Float and call for help: If you are too tired to swim, float in the water and call for help.
Please share this to your family and friends to stay safe.