a distinct checkerboard or crisscross pattern, the safest decision is straightforward: stay out of the water or leave it promptly. Move to a safe location away from the surf, listen to lifeguards, and pay attention to local warnings and conditions.
It’s also important to remember that cross seas and rip currents aren’t identical. If you are caught in a rip current, don’t try to swim directly against it. Stay calm, float or tread water, move parallel to the shoreline when possible, and signal for help if you need it.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson from the story is that you don’t need to understand every detail of an ocean hazard before respecting it. If an experienced lifeguard or another knowledgeable person tells you to leave the water, take the warning seriously. You can always learn what caused the unusual waves once you’re safely back on shore.
The ocean is beautiful
There’s more to discover. Continue to the next page for the rest of this article.
