What should a swimmer do first if caught in a rip current?

Remaining calm and relaxed is essential for a swimmer caught in a rip current. When a person panics, their ability to think clearly and make good decisions diminishes, which can lead to exhaustion and dangerous situations.

By staying calm, the swimmer can conserve energy and assess the situation better. It allows them to strategically plan their next move instead of wasting energy fighting against the current, which is usually ineffective and may result in fatigue. Once they have taken a moment to relax, they can focus on the next step, which often involves swimming parallel to the shore to escape the current rather than swimming directly against it.

Signaling for help or calling for assistance might be appropriate in certain situations but should not be the immediate focus when in distress. Swimming against the current is often counterproductive and can lead to further exhaustion. Understanding the dynamics of rip currents can be critical for safety, and knowing to remain calm is key to leveraging that knowledge effectively.