Many people have died trying to rescue rip current victims. Get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not present, call 9-1-1, then try to direct the victim to swim following the shoreline to escape.
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Here we debunk 7 myths about this dangerous phenomenon: Myth: A strong swimmer can outswim a rip current. Fact: Measured at speeds up to 8 feet per second (more than 5 miles per hour), rip currents can be faster than an Olympic swimmer. Myth: Rip currents pull people under water.
Rip currents do not pull people under the water; they pull people away from shore. The rip current is typically the strongest about a foot off of the bottom, which can cause your feet to be knocked out from under you making it feel like something under the water was pulling you.