This Memorial Day weekend in Central Florida was a tragedy for a few families on the beaches of Florida's Eastern Coast. Three people died after being taken too far offshore due to the rip currents present on the beaches. More than 500 people had to be rescued as well because of the rip currents taking them out to sea.
Having grown up in Central Florida, I know of the vicious rip currents that are commonplace amongst the beaches of the East Coast of Florida during Late-May to Mid-June. For those who have never been caught in a rip current, they are very deceiving. Rip currents, at least as I have experienced, are not violent; they consist of a relatively calm sea chop that causes a person to quickly drift further offshore and generally not in a straight direction. Ten minutes out in the water in a rip current could easily take you more than 500 feet offshore.
Even though a rip current is not generally "rough" per se. They can be, the near constant chop can make it difficult to swim, as the seawater continuously hits you in the face as you paddle towards the shore. It is true, you must paddle diagonally when adrift in a rip current, and you must not expend all of your energy in a furious paddle. With a determined, calm, and constant breaststroke, you should be able to break through the pull of the rip current and regain your lost ground. It is heartbreaking to see anything lose their life, but especially to something as simple as a rip current.
ByrdLaw, P.A. appreciates the effort of the lifeguards at the Central Florida beaches who rescued more than 500 people this weekend. The lifeguards couldn't save everyone, but considering the huge number of people adrift at sea this past weekend, they did an awesome job, and should be commended for their dedication.
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