Did you know that the average rip current moves up to eight feet per second, faster than an Olympic Swimmer? With summer just around the corner, it is important to educate yourself, your friends, and family about water safety. All the time we hear awful stories about how a father was trying to save his son and died in a rip current, or a sister was trying to save her brother, but we never think that it could really happen to us. However, it is impossible to know the situation you may be forced into. Being educated on water safety does not guarantee that you will survive, but it gives you a fighting chance, and spreading awareness could help save the lives of others.  

Sophomore Gabby Ferrara explained her encounter with a rip tide, “When I was seven, my kayak started drifting away to sea with my friend and we did not know how to get back to shore, so my mom had to come out and save us. It was terrifying and we should have had a better plan on how to get to shore safely.” Lucky Gabby, her friend, and her mom all survived the incident, but there are ways to be prepared. For example, being able to identify a rip current or where one might appear based on water patterns could save your life. Rip currents are usually darker, narrow patches of water that lead offshore. They typically form at breaks in sandbars, near structures such as piers, or between areas of breaking waves and whitewater. If you are caught in a rip tide, it is imperative that you swim parallel to the shore and not opposite to the pull of the current.  

Also, jumping off piers or bridges in the summer may be thrilling but also dangerous depending on the circumstances. Low water levels or fast-moving water can cause serious injuries. Therefore, it is critical that you either research the location you are jumping at or test the waters prior to jumping. However, most importantly, do not allow yourself to be peer pressured into jumping off a pier or pressured to do anything you are uncertain about. Teens most commonly drown when they are with their friends, so be cautious and make sure to carefully conduct yourself in every situation.  

Sophomore Emmy Oppedisano expressed, “I think it is really important that we know about water safety because rip tides can be so unpredictable, and you always hear awful stories about them. Also, you never know how being educated could save a life.” Overall, possessing general knowledge about water safety could save your life or someone else’s life this summer. You never know when taking a few minutes to absorb valuable knowledge will make a difference in your life or in someone else’s. Spread awareness this summer and stay safe!