On Thursday at 10:30 a.m. the National Weather Service released a rip current statement in effect until 6 p.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” explains the weather service. “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
Navigating rip currents: Your survival manual
Rip currents, those swift-moving channels of water flowing away from the shore at surf beaches, can pose a serious threat to beachgoers. These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf. Even strong swimmers can find themselves overpowered by the force of a rip current. It’s essential to know how to respond if you’re caught in one. Here’s what you need to do, based on guidance from the weather service:
Stay calm – they won’t drag you under:…