The sea is not always quiet and affectionate. Sometimes rip currents, the so-called tugs, form on the water surface. These phenomena are dangerous for both adults and children. In order to preserve health and life, it is necessary to remember the rules of safe behavior on the water.
What is it
Rip currents are most often found in the ocean. It is also observed on the sandbanks of Baltiysk, the southern resorts of Crimea, Krasnodar Territory (Anapa, Sochi, Tuapse, Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk), Azov (Yeysk), Phuket (Karon, Kata, Surin, Nai Harn), Bali, Sri Lanka and Cancun. It is also called rollback, discontinuous and reverse. At the same time, the most powerful waves move at right angles, but not to the shore, but perpendicular from it.
This phenomenon usually occurs after storms. In 90% of cases, it forms near shallow beaches, it is often observed in areas with frequent tides.
A recoil current is formed due to the fact that a stream of water, colliding with a stepped relief (pier, breakwater, spit, reef), turns in the opposite direction and breaks up oncoming streams.
The danger lies in the fact that it often forms in shallow water, about half a meter from the shore. The water in such places reaches only to the ankles, but at the same time has sufficient force to drag a vacationer into the open sea, bay or ocean. Once in tyagun, it becomes very difficult to go back.
Sometimes “recoil” tugs originate in the deepest areas. At the same time, a narrow corridor is formed, the average speed of which is 4-5 km/h, and the width varies from 2 to 3 m. For an experienced swimmer, this is not very critical, however, currents often arise that last up to 200-400 m and have a width of up to 50 m. The speed of such a “bump” is 15 km/h. It is almost impossible to fight against such a current.
Main features
The area where the dangerous phenomenon is formed can be determined by the shade. The color of the water flow at the sandy beach will be light brown. If there is no sand, the water in the place of the “bump” will be darker — and often with a foamy “coating”.
Additional signs of the formation of a rip current include:
- Characteristic movement of the water flow. He is aiming for a specific site. Objects on the surface of the water, in particular debris and algae, are in one place and moving towards the open sea.
- The gap in the waves. Waves rise very rarely in dangerous areas. If there is a place on the beach with no waves at all, most likely a “bump” will form there in the near future.
- Breakers. If the foaming “unevenness” of the water surface is observed only in one area, you should stay away from it.
The “bad” signs are best seen from a hill. But it is much more difficult to notice the draft from the shore or while swimming. In addition, more insidious “bumpers” are often found: they do not appear externally in any way.
On most beaches, where there is a possibility of hazards for vacationers, there are warnings — red flags. You should not ignore them, it is best to refrain from bathing.
Types of rods
There are 4 types of dangerous rips. According to experts, they are:
- Fixed. This is the least insidious current. The main reason for its formation is considered to be the specific relief of the bottom. Such a “reverse” occurs in a specific place. It often forms in depressions (between small stones). It is also formed between sandy alluvium.
- Reflected. A “rollback” is formed if a side stream of water encounters some obstacle (pier, breakwater, ledge of the shore).
- Unstable. They are characterized by spontaneity. Their danger lies in the fact that they occur suddenly, in any areas, and do not appear at all on the surface. They depend on the size of the waves and their speed.
- Sideways. They are characterized by a diagonal movement away from the shore. They are formed where the waves go to the shore at an angle. Stranded, this phenomenon is not dangerous. It carries the swimmer along the beach line.
Against the background of side “bumps”, another phenomenon often develops — swash. This is the name of a water stream that flows from the shore at great speed, under the influence of gravitational force. This happens immediately after the arrival of a large, strong wave. Technically, swash is not considered a rip. However, you also need to know about it.
How to get out of the stream
If you feel that you are caught in a rip current and you are being carried away uncontrollably, remember about safety at sea in an extreme situation.
The memo looks like this:
- Try to stay calm. It is panic that can cause a tragedy. Do not run out of strength and do not swim to the shore — in this case you will just flounder in place and at the same time the wave will carry you further and further
- Remember that the stretching corridor is from 2 to 50 meters wide. Try to orient yourself: choose any side and row calmly left or right along the coastline. This will help you get out of the corridor, save your strength and stay afloat. Then start rowing to the shore (you can try to get to it every 3-5 meters).
- Once in a small draft, the length of which does not exceed 15-20 m, swim in its direction. After leaving its borders, sail left or right, make a detour and return to the beach. In total, in this case you will have to swim 20-30 meters, so adequately assess your strength.
- Try to analyze the situation. If you are doing everything right, but you cannot get out of the formed corridor, then you have fallen into a wide draft (more than 20 m). In this case, your main task is to save your strength. Remember that it does not last long and stops after 3-5 minutes. Lie on your back and rest. Then sail 50-100 m away and return to the beach.
There may be several rip currents along the coast. In this case, after swimming out of one stream, the swimmer risks falling into another.
The most important thing here is to try to feel that you are coming out of the pulling stream. Realizing that you are “let go”, immediately turn to the shore, this will help you avoid getting into the neighboring RIP currents.
How to avoid panic
People trapped in the “bump” die due to physical and nervous overstrain. The heartbeat is increasing, there is not enough air. Against this background, the movements become erratic, and when a person notices that the efforts are in vain, he is covered with shock. This is why panic is dangerous. Meanwhile, in a calm state, a good swimmer can confidently swim even a few kilometers.
Many people believe that the tyagun is able to suck to the bottom. This is a misconception: in nature, of course, there are vertical currents, but they are formed at a high altitudedepth.
Draughts arising in the coastal zone carry swimmers only on the surface of the reservoir. They have a limited width and length, in addition, they weaken quickly. Their power comes to naught in the “line ups”, where the waves reach their peak and break. They are located about 80-100 m from the coastline.
How to help a person who is being carried away
One of the main rules is this: you should not mindlessly save a person who is being carried away from the beach line. Unfortunately, there are many cases when both a drowning and an inexperienced lifeguard die. This is due to the huge strength of the tyagun: he doesn’t care how many people are trying to fight him. Therefore, if there are lifeguards on the beach, immediately call them for help.
If there are no specialists nearby, try to throw a lifesaving device to the drowning person: a circle, armbands, a rope. If a person in trouble sees you, try to direct him along the coastal strip with signs to the area where the dangerous phenomenon ends. Try to cheer him up: perhaps it is thanks to your support and tips that he will not lose his head and get to a safe place.
Eyewitnesses from Sochi told how people joined in a chain and pulled out the victim, holding hands. However, this method of rescue is a risk for all participants in the rescue operation, and can only be used with low flow strength.
What you need to remember when relaxing at sea
The sea can play a bad joke even with those who swim well. Therefore, the rules of safety on the water (at sea, in the lake and in any other body of water) are relevant for both children and adults.
One of the most important rules of safety at sea says: you can swim only in authorized equipped places with rescuers and coast guards. Before swimming, it is necessary to warm up the body — do several squats, swings with your arms and legs.
Be sure to pay attention to the environmental conditions. Assess the depth, the presence of obstacles, and pay attention to the danger signs listed earlier.
Pay attention not only to red flags, but also to other prohibitive signals, they are always on equipped beaches. For example, on the Black Sea coast, black balloons are hung at rescue posts when there is a threat of tugboats. If there is a ban on bathing, be sure to listen to specialists, do not put yourself in danger.
Additional rules of behavior on the water for adults look like this:
- Enter gradually. There may be sharp rocks, corals and pits on the bottom.
- Do not go behind the buoys. There is a swimming area on every organized beach. If you are relaxing on a wild beach, do not leave the shallow water boundary (about 10-15 m from the shore).
- Do not dive. Sometimes the place chosen by a diver only seems deep. In fact, it is shallow, and there may be submerged logs or stones at the bottom.
- In bad weather, do not swim further than the depth that you can control. That is, make sure that you have a bottom under your feet.
- Do not jump off the pier (especially head down). In the worst cases, this leads to dislocations, bruises and even fractures. If the pier is guarded, there will definitely be a prohibition sign on it, do not ignore it.
- Do not dive in too wild places. You should not try your luck in areas with algae and mud.
- If a storm breaks out or a strong wind blows, postpone going to the beach.
- Even if you are a good swimmer, do not swim in places with strong surf.
- Don’t swim alone. Even an experienced bather can overheat in the sun, lose consciousness, get injured and face cramps.
- Do not go swimming too late in the day. In the dark, you can encounter poisonous marine life (in particular, jellyfish).
- Do not swim up to passing ships and boats. Do not swim out onto the fairway, do not climb on buoys, buoys and other signs of navigation equipment.
- Do not travel by sea on an air mattress if you cannot swim. Such a watercraft is very unreliable, it can turn out to be faulty at any moment. This is very dangerous even for good swimmers.
- If you find yourself in a whirlpool, take in more air and dive. After that, try to make a sharp jerk to the side.
- If you have a cramp, try to rub the contracted muscles. Then turn over on your back and swim to the shore.
Which of the marine life is dangerous
Inhabitants of the sea (poisonous fish, sea urchins, snakes and jellyfish) they try to avoid contact with people. However, if you accidentally meet them, vacationers may have problems.
Jellyfish are a particular danger. Minor burns caused by contact with these creatures lead to an excruciating burning sensation. With severe and large lesions, there is a risk of developing Quincke’s edema. In the absence of timely help, this dangerous condition often leads to death.
To avoid encountering a jellyfish, when entering the sea, look carefully at your feet. If found, you should go ashore and look for a safer area for swimming. Having met with a jellyfish at a depth, swim away. If you get burned, go ashore and try to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Sea urchins are also dangerous. They have sharp needles that dig into the bather’s body. Often (in particular, when trying to extract them yourself) they break down and remain inside. Against this background, a deep wound forms, which quickly begins to boil and fester.
To avoid contact with this marine life, follow the safety rules on the water. According to them, look at your feet when entering the sea, wear protective shoes and do not swim in muddy water.
How to ensure the safety of children
When vacationing at sea with a child, it is necessary to be constantly on the alert. Do not let it move away from the shore and remember that big waves and deep holes can happen even in shallow water.
To keep the child safe, do not forget about life-saving equipment. It is not necessary to put a vest on him. If you keep an eye on him and don’t let him swim into the depths, inflatable armbands will be enough.
The basic water safety rules for children look like this:
- Do not swim away from adults.
- Do not travel on the water on homemade watercraft (cameras, etc.).
- Avoid too active games (especially dangerous games related to grabs and dives).
- Do not play on piers, piers and pontoons.
- Do not rely on athletic skills and go too deep.
- Do not hesitate to call for help even from strangers.
What to keep in mind
The sea element is a force that requires respect. Even if at first glance the water surface seems calm and peaceful, one should not be deceived. However, you should not panic either, otherwise you may lose your bearings, and the chance of salvation will be lower.
