What with the recent drownings of after-hours swimmers due to riptides, it is time to educate everyone so as to avoid more tragedies.
- The ocean is to be respected. It is an uncontrollable force of nature.
- Riptides generally can not be seen from the shore and can be anywhere, even in calm–looking water.
- Do not go in the water without lifeguards on duty.
- Even if you're a strong swimmer, heed the warning signs and flags.
- Always swim in front of the lifeguard stand.
- Do not allow the water to go to the knees; it only takes knee-high water to knock you down and drag you out into dangerous waters.
- If you do get caught in a riptide, do NOT try to swim straight-in back to shore. You will only be pushed further out.
- Instead of attempting to swim across/over the riptide, swim along the length of the shore, parallel to the beach until you feel the riptide's end. Then you can start swimming in.
Now is not the time to try to be rebellious and cool. Ignoring the flags and signs is not an act of defying authority; the ocean is the ultimate authority… and executioner.
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