Rip-Tides

by Dave
(Santa Rosa Beach, FL)

I live in the Florida panhandle , right across the street from the worlds most beautiful beaches .
It's nickname is the Emerald Coast.

The biggest tip I would say is - If there are RED flags flying please stay out of the water.
Many ignore them and wish to hell they hadn't ( assuming that dead people can wish )

There is a thing called "rip-tide" , you can't see it but you sure can feel it..and when you start to feel it.. it's all over but the crying and buying a casket.

I had an " experience " with a riptide about 15 years ago , I was 30 then , in the best shape of my life , an excellent swimmer ( not bragging ) and a Red Cross certified life guard and I will NEVER forget it.
(This was before there was a flag warning system in my /adjacent counties )

I'll bet that at least 50 people have drowned in the waters near me since I've lived here , there were 7 victims in a 24 hr span a couple of years ago .

Just looked at what happened in New York about 2 weekends ago ..those poor kids NEVER stood a chance .
When people enter the waters when the flags are flying they are not only endangering thier lives but the lives of the LIFEGUARDS and any other person who attempts to help them and more often than not the rescue-er becomes the rescue-ee /victim.
I would devote a chapter on this subject , and it would be chapter 1.