| If you love to swim and happen to live near or | | | | how to handle it. |
| vacation at a beach, you know what fun going to the | | | | The most important thing to do in a rip tide is not to |
| ocean can be. It's fun to walk along the shore and | | | | swim towards the shore. You'll never break out of the |
| collect shells or dig in the sand. It's great to feel the tide | | | | tide that way. Instead, swim mostly parallel to the |
| move the sand under your feet, too. | | | | shoreline and just angle yourself slightly inward. That |
| However, as fun as it is, the ocean can be full of | | | | will help you to cut through the tide and get back to |
| hidden dangers, even if you do know how to swim. I'm | | | | dry land. Although, you might have to walk back to the |
| not talking about sharks or jellyfish, either. Although, | | | | spot on the beach that you had been. |
| those are certainly worth watching out for. | | | | If you really can''t seem to get to shore, you still |
| What I am talking about is a rip tide. The ocean can | | | | shouldn't panic. Try yelling for help or waving your |
| look fabulous but, if you go out too far, it can quickly | | | | arms. If nothing else, you can float calmly on your back |
| become dangerous, especially if there's a rip tide. A rip | | | | and try to signal with your arms until help arrives. To |
| tide is aptly named, since it will seem to rip you right | | | | guarantee that help will arrive, though, it's always best |
| away from the shore. The force of it can be petrifying, | | | | to swim with a buddy or, at least, let someone know |
| but there's no need to panic. You just need to know | | | | where you'll be and when. |