Free Republic

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Stinging jellyfish, rays with their whip-like tails and sharks on the hunt are some ocean hazards that might typically worry beachgoers. But rip currents are the greatest danger and account for the most beach rescues every year. Six people drowned in rip currents over a recent two-day period in Florida, including a couple vacationing on Hutchinson Island from Pennsylvania with their six children and three young men on a Panhandle holiday from Alabama, officials say. About 100 people drown from rip currents along U.S. beaches each year, according to the United States Lifesaving Association. And more...

Tragic water accidents happen quickly. The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge. Lifeguards recommend the following safety tips: • Learn to swim • Swim near a lifeguard • Never swim alone • Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present • Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water • If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull • Alcohol and swimming don't mix • Protect your head, neck, and spine — don't dive into unfamiliar waters — feet...