200 Swimmers Rescued from Daytona Rip Currents
Labor Day weekend is proving to be just that on Daytona Beach as lifeguards are working their butts off pulling swimmers from dangerous rip currents.
Rip currents are strong currents that are localized and moving caused by high winds and wave action. So far 200 swimmers have been rescued from the waters along Daytona Beach.
Note: if caught in rip current, don’t fight it and don’t panic. Swimming parallel to the shoreline will eventually get a swimmer out of the current and a swimmer can make way back to safety.
High winds and deadly rip currents are keeping lifeguards in Daytona Beach on the go this Labor Day weekend.
On Saturday they performed more than 200 rescues of swimmers who got caught in strong rip currents.
Beach Patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn said a 14-year-old girl was pulled from the water and listed in critical condition at a hospital and another swimmer, who was found face down in the water late Friday night. He’s still in a coma.
Petersohn told CBS4 the weekend’s rescue activity is
“way off the scale.”
More ocean safety tips from NOAA:
* Never swim alone.
* Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
* Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
* Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
* If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
* Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
* If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
* If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.
* If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Illustration via NOAA
