How To Survive Riptides

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A riptide can be terrifying. But if you keep your cool and know what to do, you'll stay safe.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Precautions
Riptide telltale signs
The ability to remain calm

Warning: 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.

Tip: 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.

Tip: 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.

Tip: 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.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HealthBeauty
• swimming
• ocean
• surviving
• safety
• drowning
• riptides
• undertoe
• current
• against

[PsychoStorm88]

At first I read this is "How to survive reptiles"

[napkinx3]

man i love this voice actor :)

[TheLovetocatchbass]

1:37 i can see your hand

[REDNECKCABLETV]

@ihatenumbers987 cool sotry bro...

[ihatenumbers987]

There is barely any lifeguards on the beach of Port Aransas, Texas. -_-

[lamboreo]

i bet piers morgan was offended from stay away from peirs

[fakergo]

@AmazingTwinkie45 no they are things that happen onder the sand

[ilovedonuts2011]

1:37 i saw his hand

[SRNF]

How to train an Olympic swimmer-

1: Helicopter drop them into a strong riptide.

2. See if they swim to shore.

3. They didn't, they're dead and now the cops are looking for you for 2nd degree murder.

4. Cry

5. Pack your belonging and go to mexico you just ruined your life.

6. Done.

[tigertank945]

i only agree with a few parts, staying calm and swimming parallel (north and south)... lol

[CheeseEatUSoul]

this looks like something from flapjack.