4 Dead, 3 Missing At New York Beaches

cbs2chicago.com ^ | Jul 27, 2008 | CBS

[I see my hands]

It's poor advice for people who are weak swimmers.

Sound advice for people who are weak swimmers (and advice is too weak a word) is do not go in the ocean nor turn your back on the ocean when on shore.

Sound advice for weak and strong swimmers who find themselves caught in a rip tide is to swim 50 yards parallel to the shore and then attempt to swim in.

Of course this is not referencing keiki coves and the like.

[Alice in Wonderland]

In Long Beach, L.I., a 29-year-old Wantagh man died after he was spotted struggling about 150 feet from shore about 7 p.m. Saturday, police said. Off-duty lifeguards rushed to the beach and reached the victim within minutes, but he was unconscious and rescuers were unable to revive him, Police Lt. Bruce Meyer said.

Two teenagers were swept away off Long Beach on Friday as they played football in about 5 feet of water, authorities said. One body was recovered Friday and the other was still being sought.

Meyer said he “cannot recall there ever being back-to-back situations like this.”

The rough seas were due to a strong storm system that brought 8-foot waves to the area earlier this week, the National Weather Service said.

“The undertows and riptides have been particularly strong around the beaches for the past few weeks,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Greg Hitchen said.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/07/26/2008-07-26_girl_10_lost_in_coney_island_waters.html

[I see my hands]

"If you are unable to swim out of the rip current..."

Swimming parallel to the shore gets you out of the rip. The above is meaningless.

You quote the government and feel good about yourself and I'll offer advice that saves lives.

[vbmoneyspender]

I think the basic concept you are having difficulty with is that generally, people who die in riptides are not strong swimmers.

[MHGinTN]

It takes a strong swimmer just to stay afloat while trying to swim parallel to the rip/beach. And eight foot waves would swamp even a good swimmer if they didn’t understand how to duck dwon into the wave as it breaks over them.

[vbmoneyspender]

You quote the government and feel good about yourself and I'll offer advice that saves lives.

And by the way, the gentleman I quoted is a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Should I discount his advice because the Coast Guard is part of the government.

[I see my hands]

"Should I discount his advice because the Coast Guard is part of the government"

No, rather because it is wrong and dangerous.

You're starting to argue like a lib. Ankles away, a hui ho.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Diving into and under the wave is a good idea, hoping that a monster wave isn’t right behind it. I’ve come out of the water bloodied by waves that have caught and tumbled me, scraping me along the ocean floor.

[vbmoneyspender]

You're starting to argue like a lib. Ankles away, a hui ho.

From what I've seen of libs, when they argue you with you, they rapidly descend into name-calling.

[I see my hands]

"From what I've seen of libs, when they argue you with you, they rapidly descend into name-calling"

In my opinion name calling is one of the few good things you can say about a lib. The Right could learn a thing or two. Much better than playing kissy face with the enemy.

A bad thing is the convolution of debate, e.g.:

"You shouldn't even attempt to swim, particularly if you are not a good swimmer.... its generally best to just float. As you float, you'll get pushed back towards shore."

and then offering reference that contradicts themselves later, feeling all proud and self satisfied.

Keep on dancing but find a new partner, I'm going to the beach.

[vbmoneyspender]

In my opinion name calling is one of the few good things you can say about a lib. The Right could learn a thing or two. Much better than playing kissy face with the enemy.

Interesting. Why argue then? Why not just start with the name-calling and be done with it?

[vbmoneyspender]

By the way, it looks like Mr. Spivak got his riptide safety tips from the USLA. The USLA is America's nonprofit, professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers.