Escape from the offshore currents - tips

Content

Steps
Advice
Warning

The term "offshore current" describes a long, narrow stream of water that can sweep swimmers away from shore. While some experts advise people caught in a stream to float to the end of the stream, some organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommend swimming parallel to shore. sea to escape the flow. Whatever advice you take, it's crucial to stay calm and avoid swimming against the current. If you can't get out, scream and wave your hands to get the attention of the lifeguards or those on the beach.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Responding to a Falling Offshore Current

Hold Calm. When you are caught up in the offshore current, don't panic. You have a better chance of escaping if you stay calm. Being calm will help you save energy and think clearly.
Tips to stay calm

Try to control your breathing. Keep your head above the water, breathe slowly and deeply.
Think positively and calmly. Tell yourself, "Don't panic. I can get out of the water. Don't fight it, hold on and look for waves crashing at the edge of the stream. "
Remind yourself that the offshore current does not pull you into the water. Offshore currents only pull you away from shore. The fear of being submerged in the water can make you panic.
Call for help if you are not a good swimmer. The way to escape when falling into a offshore current is to float people on the water, then swim parallel to the shore to cut the flow. If you can't swim, call for help and wave your hands to get the attention of the lifeguards or others on the beach.
- If you can swim, you can get out and swim ashore diagonally away from the currents. However, if you're not sure you can get out, shout and wave your hand for help.
Float or pedal until you are out of the stream. You may instinctively resist the currents and swim straight to shore. However, such a reaction was the most dangerous in this situation. Instead, focus on keeping your head above the water until the currents weaken and you can swim past its boundary.
- Most offshore currents will weaken at 45-90 meters offshore. When the flow starts to be less fast, you will get out more easily.
- Even the best swimmer could not resist the offshore currents. Reaction to swim upstream will only exhaust you and drown you.
Swim parallel to the shore to escape the flow. Most offshore currents are about 9-30 meters wide. Find the nearest waves; their position is the edge of the flow. Swim towards the waves and remember to stay parallel to the shore instead of swimming straight to the shore.
Compare how to swim parallel to the shore and how to float on the water
Some researchers object to swimming parallel to the shore. They recommend floating until the end of the flow, which should take about 3 minutes.
Swimming parallel to shore is official advice. Since 2018, NOAA and the American Rescue Association have continued to call for parallel swimming to the shore.
The main thing to remember: If you are not good at swimming, call for help. If you can swim, swim parallel to the shore, but avoid exhaustion. If you can't move on, hold on and relax until the flow weakens or someone helps.
Swim diagonally to the shore after exiting the current. Once you are out of the stream, swim ashore at a diagonal angle away from the currents. Swimming diagonally away from the currents is a way to reduce the risk of being swept back.
- Offshore currents generally form around breakwaters and structures that are perpendicular (90 degree angle) to the shoreline. If you are near these structures, swim away.
- If necessary, you can stop and float to rest. If you feel too tired and can't swim any more, get help.
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Method 2 of 3: Offshore current detection

Try to identify areas to avoid before stepping into the water. Watching for signs of a longshore current can help you avoid getting caught in it in the first place. However, do not forget that offshore currents are not always detected, so you need to be cautious even if there is no warning sign.
- The signs of the offshore current are rather vague and do not always appear. Offshore currents can also form while you are underwater.
Check the coast from an elevated position. When you get to the beach, watch where the waves hit the sand. An elevated position like a sand dune or a boardwalk will give you a good viewpoint.
- It is easier to spot out-of-shore currents at higher altitudes than at eye level.
- Polarized sunglasses can make it easier to spot warning signs of further offshore currents. When not exposed to the sun, you may notice signs such as holes in the waves or debris being swept into the ocean.
Find holes in the oncoming waves. Check for areas that are free of white foam or appear to have no waves. Note that you are not looking for gaps between two waves. The offshore current signaling holes appear in the horizontal wave.
- Try online for images of offshore currents. Offshore currents are difficult to detect, but a reliable sign is a hole in the wave.
Watch out for bubbles or algae that have been washed away from the shore. Usually, waves push water bubbles, moss, and other debris into the sandy shore. Look for currents of objects that have drifted into the ocean instead of floating on the ocean surface or washed ashore. These currents may look like rivers lying in the ocean flowing away from the shore.
- In addition, the offshore current may have a slightly different water color. This phenomenon is due to the flow that sweeps up the sediments at the bottom.
Stay away from areas where you suspect the offshore currents are forming. Do not step into the water in areas where you have detected signs of offshore currents. You should notify the nearest rescue team; maybe they already know, but it's fine to check back in case. Ask them about beach weather forecasts and dangerous warnings.
- Always be vigilant, even if you do not see any sign of an outflow. This phenomenon is often difficult to detect, and an offshore current can occur even when you see no signs.
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Method 3 of 3: Stay safe at sea

Only swim when there are lifeguards on duty. Avoid swimming alone, and be sure to choose well-watched beaches. In addition, you should also swim in the area in front of the rescue huts, especially if there is a warning about the danger of offshore currents or other dangerous conditions.
- Swim near the shelter, but remember not to set up a tent or place chairs in front of the hut. Lifeguards should have an unobstructed path to the water in case they have to respond.
- If you are swimming on an unattended beach, do not go as far as waist-high water. It is best to bring a swimming float.
Check the coastal weather forecast before entering the water. When going to the beach, watch out for flags or signs of danger at sea. If you do not understand the meaning of a flag, ask the rescue worker.
- If in the US, you can check your local beach weather forecast at https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-forecasts.
Be careful, even when it's beautiful. Although strong winds can cause waves to be more bumpy, offshore currents are not directly weathered, and they can form as soon as the sea is calm. The important factors are the shape of the seabed, the shoals and structures such as breakwaters, rocks and piers.
- Offshore currents can form at any time, but they are more likely to occur at low tide.
Do not try to save people who are caught in the offshore currents. Only rescue workers or emergency responders should respond. If there are no lifeguards there, call emergency services and shout out to guide the person being swept up in the water.
- Shouts to them, “Calm down! Do not try to swim against the water. Swim parallel to the shore to escape. ”
- Try to find a floating object and, if possible, throw it at the person in the stream. Without life-saving equipment such as life jackets or life buoys, a surfboard, ice bucket or foam board can also become an improvised rescue device.
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Advice

If you get caught up in the offshore stream and don't know how, don't be afraid, embarrassed or embarrassed without waving your hands and calling for help.
Offshore currents are not actually tidal currents. Offshore currents are currents that occur in narrow water currents, usually in areas where swimming is prohibited.