FORT LAUDERDALE — Gio Serrano can tell if someone’s swimming skills are based on body language.
“Body language and behavior in the water tells us a lot about their level of experience in the water and the kind of activity they’re trying to do or avoid,” Serrano said.
Serrano is a Lieutenant with Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue. He can see signs of a rip current, whether it’s through the way the waves look, or through his polarized sunglasses. He says rip currents can be a trap since they usually happen in areas without waves.
“You’re not here to surf or ride waves in any way then that looks like a great spot, it looks safe.”
He’s emphasizing rip current safety after six people died from them in two days this week in Panama City Beach and Stuart Beach. All of them were from out of state when visiting Florida.
“If there’s anything that can be taken from that it’s swim near by a lifeguard,” Serrano said. “Lifeguards do preventions to avoid tragedies like that.”