do so safely.
If you’re exhausted or unable to make progress, wave your arms and call for assistance.
What If Someone Else Is in Trouble?
This is one of the most important beach-safety rules: don’t rush into dangerous water to rescue another person.
A person on shore may see a swimmer struggling and instinctively want to jump in after them. Unfortunately, this can create a second victim.
NOAA recommends getting help from a lifeguard and, when appropriate, throwing something that floats to a person in trouble rather than entering dangerous water yourself without proper flotation equipment.
If there is no lifeguard available, contact the appropriate local emergency service and follow the instructions you receive.
Can Square Waves Happen on a Calm, Sunny Day?
Yes. One of the things that makes ocean conditions deceptive is that dangerous water doesn’t always require dramatic weather directly overhead.
Ocean swells can travel long distances
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