Lifesaving SA is warning South African beachgoers to exercise extra caution when swimming in the sea over the next three days because of strong rip currents that will be experienced over this time.
The strong rip currents are caused by extreme high and low tides. The extremes result in a bigger than normal change between tides, resulting in a larger volume of water drainage between high and low tides. This increased drainage of water forms strong rip currents that wash people further out in the surf and are the leading cause of drowning in the sea.
Precaution No 1: Swim in an area protected by lifeguards. This way you will be rescued if you are washed into a rip current.
What to do if you get into trouble in the sea:
- · Stay calm. People drown because they become exhausted by panicking.
- · Wave one arm above your head to signal for assistance. Use your other arm to help tread water.
- · Conserve your energy so that you stay afloat until you are rescued.
- · If caught in a rip current, and you are a strong swimmer, swim parallel to the shore towards breaking waves. Once in the wave zone, you will be pushed back to shore. If you are a weak swimmer, go with the current – it will take you further out initially, but will dissipate at which point you will be able to make your way across to the wave zone or simply wait to be rescued. Rip currents are narrow and fade out further out to sea.
IMPORTANT: Don’t attempt to rescue another person without using flotation. Would be rescuers, that don’t have flotation are often drowned by their victims. Call for assistance. Dial 112 from your cell phone or 082911, or 084124.
