Over the last ten years, rip currents have killed more people in the United States than tornadoes or hurricanes. This year has already been particularly bad with 76 deaths reported through August.
The director of beach safety in Panama City Beach, Daryl Paul says in most areas, rip currents come and go, depending on the surf, the tides and other factors. On his beach, rip currents are created by almost constant wind, traveling over 600 miles of open water in the Gulf. He says,"If you have a strong, 15 mile an hour southwest wind that's hitting Panama City Beach, your rips are going to be powered and they're not going to stop. This rip's always under power.
Paul says his lifeguards have rescued more than 200 people from rip currents this summer. He's put up a double red flag closing the water to swimming more than 20 times so far. On those days, he says he's the most unpopular man on Panama City Beach."I've met dudes from Australia," he says."They come down, they're like, 'Ah mate, why you closin' the water, mate? This is nothing, this is nothing. You're crazy.
Rip currents move quickly, as fast as 5 miles per hour. They don't pull you under. Paul says if you're caught in one, you should swim parallel to the shore. But the most important thing is to stay calm."If all you can do is float, then just float on your back," he says."Throw an arm up and start waving. Let the current take you until it lets go."
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