Hello, I'm an expert in marine safety with extensive knowledge on how to handle various situations that can occur in the water, including dealing with rip currents. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, here's what you should do: 1. Remain Calm: Panicking can lead to poor decision-making and exhaustion. Take a deep breath and stay calm. 2. Do Not Swim Back Against the Current: Trying to swim directly against a rip current is dangerous and can lead to fatigue. 3. Swim Parallel to the Shore: Once you're out of the current, you can then swim back to shore at an angle, following the natural break in the waves. 4. Float or Tread Water: If you're unable to swim to the side of the current, float on your back and let the current carry you out. Rip currents usually lose strength farther from shore. 5. Signal for Help: If you can't get out of the current, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and shouting. A lifeguard or someone on the shore may see you. Remember, the key is to stay calm and not fight the current directly. Use the current to your advantage by swimming parallel to the shore until you're out of it. read more >>

If you do get caught in a rip current, the best thing you can do is stay calm. It's not going to pull you underwater, it's just going to pull you away from shore. Call and wave for help. ... You want to swim out of the rip, parallel to shore, along the beach and then follow breaking waves back to shore at an angle.read more >>