former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett
Posted on 06/28/2023 5:09:11 AM PDT by devane617
A Florida sheriff ripped into beachgoers for ignoring warnings of deadly water conditions after the Florida Panhandle experienced nearly a dozen deadly drownings, including former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett, over the last two weeks.
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said he was infuriated with the unnecessary deaths after he had to watch his deputies rescue strangers who disregarded the warnings.
“I’m beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf,” Ford wrote on Facebook. “I have watched while deputies, firefighters, and lifeguards have risked their lives to save strangers. I have seen strangers die trying to save their children and loved ones, including two fathers on Father’s Day.”
Panama City Beach, a resort town located in the south end of Bay County on the Gulf of Mexico, has been designated the deadliest beach in the US this year with seven deaths, all of which happened in the month of June.
More than 60 people have died from drowning in the United States this year; last year’s total was 69, according to USA Today.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Nephew got caught in one when he was fairly you, fortunately he did survive. Rip currents are no joke.
Just last week one of my fellow high school classmates was among those killed by rip currents on that beach. The day before he was photographed in his “Ultra Maga” tee-shirt, standing in the surf, holding his granddaughters’ hands. Very sad.
Swim parallel to the beach - NOT AGAINST THE CURRENT DIRECTLY TOWARD THE BEACH. When you get out of the rip tide area, then you can swim back toward the beach.
If you try to swim against the current, you will lose and you will die.
The power of the ocean, when it has you in its grasp, is frightening.
I greatly respect it, having personally seen it from the deck of a ship and felt it from the perspective of being in its clutches.
Build a reef. Fix stupid-doable. A bit expensive though.
It was just after storm and while there were no warning signs, I should have known better that to go into the water.
I was extremely fortunate to get out with minor sand cuts and bleeding.
Rip tides are no joke.
Swim parallel to the shore, to get out of the riptide.
People panic and forget this.
STAY OUT OF WATER IN THE FIRST PLACE
Yep. This cannot be repeated enough.
Telling stupid people not to do stupid things is a thankless job.
Typically, how far do you have to swim to escape it?
RIP Ryan Mallett. Prayers to his family.
Until you are out of the pull. I usually just lightly tired water and let the current take me. You can usually feel when it ends.
I watched a few people almost drown in a rip tide one day in Hollywood Florida. I also watched a 65 year old guy who went for a swim in the same rip tide and it was like it wasn’t there. He told me to never try to swim directly into the rip current. It will beat you until you drown. He swims across the current to an area where it’s not as strong before he turns toward shore.
“Rip currents are no joke.”
No they are not.
I believe the beaches where I am are up to 2 drownings directly attributed to rip currents for this year so far.
One problem has always been people from out of state, many have no idea what a rip current even is much less what to do if caught in one.
Just having the ability to float will give you confidence in water well over your head and get you out of a tight spot should you get caught in a rip current. For even if you are not able to get out of it by swimming parallel to shore (some rip currents are over a hundred feet wide), just floating will allow you to eventually escape the pull of the current. Riptides peter out offshore once you get past the area of breaking waves.
Suprisingly, many swimmers have never learned to float properly and thus panic when they find themselves over their heads and being pulled out to sea. They feel they need to swim themselves out of danger when they need only to float, reserving their strength for later.
Being able to float and do the elementary backstroke, when needed, is really important. You need to be comfortable with water occasionally drifting across your face as to breathe while on your back, too.
There is so little effort needed, once you can do these things.
Rip tides are DANGEROUS. They are a no go
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