The return currents are long, narrow strips of water that pull what is around them away from the beach and towards the sea. These currents are dangerous, and it is best to learn how to identify and avoid them. However, if you find yourself in a return current, it is relatively easy to escape if you know what to do.
Steps
Step 1. Keep your feet on the bottom as much as possible when you are in the sea and surfing
Return currents exist in all seas or lakes where conditions suitable for surfing (waves) are present. Keeping your feet firmly on the ground will help you avoid being carried away by the current.
Step 2. Stay calm if a back current starts to drag you away from the beach
If you find yourself in a current, your first instinct will be to panic. Don't worry, you may be able to escape the current, but you will need to avoid losing control. Remember that a back current probably won't drag you underwater; it will only take you away from the shore.
Step 3. Try to hit rock bottom if possible
If the current is relatively weak and you are in shallow water, you will probably be able to touch the bottom again and avoid being dragged further. If you can't hit bottom, don't fight the current. The victims of the return currents drown because they become exhausted from the effort produced. Save your energy to swim judiciously and stay afloat.
Step 4. Get help right away if you can't swim well
The back currents are particularly dangerous for those who cannot swim or are not an expert. If you are not a good swimmer, get the attention of a lifeguard or other passersby by waving your arms and asking for help.
Step 5. Swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current
Being swept up in a back current is like being trapped on a treadmill that you can't turn off. Fortunately, currents, such as treadmills, are usually quite narrow - they rarely exceed 30 meters - so you just need to step sideways out of the current to escape them. Instead of swimming against the current towards the shore, swim parallel to it. When you do, the back current will drag you away from the shore, but remember, don't panic. Keep swimming parallel to the shore until you come out of the current - usually no more than 30-45 meters from the point of entry into the water.
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Float on your back or let the water carry you if you can't get out of the current. If you can't swim or if you get tired before you can get out of the current, save your energy and stay afloat. Keep asking for help if other people are present. If you are alone, relax and stay afloat until you regain energy and continue swimming. Back currents generally subside 15-30 meters from shore, so you will eventually no longer be swept out to sea.
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Step 6. Swim to shore once you get out of the current
When you have come out of the current, sideways or offshore, go back to shore. It is generally a good idea to swim diagonally towards the shore and away from the current instead of swimming directly backwards to avoid being sucked in again. You may be quite far from shore at this point, so stop and float periodically to recover.
Advice
- Back currents deserve respect, but they don't have to scare you. Lifeguards sometimes use them to reach someone over the waves, and surfers use them to get out and catch the waves. Lifeguards and surfers are of course very skilled swimmers, experienced in rough sea conditions, so an average bather should not intentionally enter a back current. That said, if you find yourself being swept offshore by a current, keep calm.
- Never swim alone.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you don't know how to react when you feel swept along and notice a lifeguard nearby, wave your arms in their direction. It is important to wave both arms, the universal sign of rescue for swimmers. Lifeguards are experienced and trained to deal with currents and will know how to help you.
- Unsuspecting victims have a tendency to tire themselves out fighting the current trying to swim towards rida - remember, swim sideways to escape the current, which is quite narrow.
Warnings
- Never swim against the current. AND stronger than you and it will wear you out, making you risk drowning. Many people who drown are experienced swimmers who think they can swim faster than the current.
- Return currents do not always travel perpendicular to the shore, but in some cases they will be parallel to it. Keep an eye on the shore to understand which direction you are heading.
- Avoid back currents if possible. Follow all warnings. When traveling, always make sure other swimmers are present. Otherwise it is possible that that beach is considered dangerous by the locals.
