Sadly, I have to talk about it every year and there's been twenty-three summers of hosting The Morning Show. I have had to repeatedly warn anyone listening, Floridians and visitors, about the potential danger of the waters just yards off of our coastline. Any coastline.
Still the number of victims countinue to mount with Panama City Beach being one of the most publicized places where people lose their lives due to rip currents and the panic which sets in because beach-goers do not know the basics.
First, the name - Rip current. Not rip tide. Not undertow (no, it doesn't pull you under). It's a rip current and they can happen when the water is calm as well as rough. They can occur with little notice and can move in almost any direction. As a result the flags on most public beaches (but importantly, not all) are important to know.
Second, learn the flags. Double-red means stay out of the water, red means high hazard, yellow reminds you to use caution, green is be aware, and purple means dangerous marine life which could mean sharks, jellyfish, etc. Heed the flags and if you are not sure call the Sheriff's office of the county you are in for an advisory.
Third, watch the videos below because the first will help you identify the many ways a rip current can appear from the beach. The second video will teach you how to best survive in case you or a family member, friend are caught in one. I pulled vids from Australia. The Aussies live on a island. They get it.
It is so important to talk about this with everyone in your family who will ever be at the beach and anyone visiting from out-of-town because our visitors are the ones most likely to be in trouble,
Friends, what follows truly could save a life.