On Tuesday at 5:09 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a rip current statement valid from Wednesday 6 a.m. until Saturday 6 a.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

The weather service states, “Dangerous rip currents expected.”

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” adds the weather service. “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”

Navigating rip currents: Your survival manual

Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. The speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. Trying to swim against a rip current will only use up your energy; the energy you need to survive and escape the rip current. If you get caught in a rip current, try to stay calm and follow the below advice from the weather service:

1. Stay calm – they won’t drag you under:

• Don’t panic – rip currents won’t pull you underwater.

2. Go with the flow, but not toward the beach:

• Don’t swim towards the beach against the rip current. Instead, swim parallel to the beach and out of the rip current.

3. Call for help if necessary:

• If you find yourself unable to reach the shore, try to relax. Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms. This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.

4. Seek lifeguarded beaches:

• Whenever possible, opt for beaches with lifeguards. Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency.

5. Never brave the waves alone on unguarded shores:

• If you choose to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.

Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize safety when enjoying the surf.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.