People were relaxing on the beach, not suspecting anything, what danger there could be
It is difficult for experienced swimmers to imagine how it is possible to drown near the shore. Alcohol is often cited as the main cause of such situations. But it turns out that sometimes it is not the green serpent that leads to such death.
Such cases can occur due to so-called rip currents. These natural phenomena are sometimes also called “thrusts” or “rips”. They are spotted in all corners of our planet and can turn a harmless vacation on the seashore into a real tragedy.
Similar currents occur when the tide moves back out to sea. At the same time, shallow seas with gentle shores, which are surrounded by islands or sand spits, are places where the likelihood of rips occurring is highest.
When caught in such a current, a person is perplexed, because, heading towards the shore, he swims in place. This often causes panic, which in such cases is also not helpful. Usually the width of such a current is 2–3 meters, and the speed is about 4–5 km/hour. They are not very dangerous, but sometimes currents up to 50 m wide and up to 400 m long are formed, the speed of which can reach 15 km/h.
It is precisely such currents that can be dangerous, especially when you don’t know how to get out of them. But we will help you with the last one. First of all, you need to not panic and start swimming away from the current, that is, parallel to the shore. Most often, this will immediately help you get out of the rip.
If this method does not help, then you need to relax and stay on the water. In a few minutes you will be carried to the edge of the rip, and there you must again try to swim not to the shore, but parallel to it. After swimming about 50 m, you can try to head towards land.
As for people who cannot swim, they need to be careful when choosing a vacation spot. Make sure there are lifeguards nearby and never swim alone!
Only professional rescuers can recognize tuguns. The main feature: the visible part of the rip is perpendicular to the shore. The color of the surf, different from the prevailing one, the presence of algae or a break in the tide line will help you notice such a current.
Also, always pay attention to the warning flags and signs posted by lifeguards.
We hope that your holiday will be uneventful, but if you encounter such a phenomenon, now you know what to do.
