Rip tides, also known as rip currents, are powerful and dangerous streams of water that can rapidly carry swimmers away from the shore. They can form near the shoreline and are particularly prevalent in areas with sandbars, jetties, and piers. While they can be life-threatening even for experienced swimmers, knowing how to deal with a rip tide could potentially save your life. Here are three crucial ways to survive a rip tide if you ever find yourself caught in one:

1. Stay Calm

The first and most important step when you realize you are caught in a rip tide is to stay calm. Panicking will only lead to exhaustion, which increases your risk of drowning. Take slow, deep breaths and remind yourself that escaping the current is possible. It’s crucial to conserve your energy for swimming parallel to the shore or signaling for help.

2. Swim Parallel to the Shore

One common mistake many swimmers make when caught in a rip tide is attempting to swim directly back to shore against the current – this will only exhaust you quickly. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you’re out of the grip of the rip current. Once you no longer feel the force of the current pulling you away from the beach, start swimming back towards it.

3. Signal for Help

If you find yourself unable to break free from the current or too tired to swim back to shore after escaping it, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help. Lifeguards at beaches look out for people in distress and getting their attention could save your life.

While these survival tips can help in a crisis situation, prevention is always better than rescue. Make sure always to heed local warning signs and flags at beaches that indicate the presence of rip currents and never swim alone.

Remember: facing a rip tide is undoubtedly frightening, but it’s not necessarily a death sentence. By maintaining a calm demeanor, swimming parallel to the shore, and signaling for help, you can increase your chances of making it back to land safe and sound.