On Friday at 3:52 a.m. a rip current statement was issued by the National Weather Service valid from Saturday 6 a.m. until Sunday 6 p.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,” describes 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 feel you can’t reach shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help.

4. Seek lifeguarded beaches for added safety:

• Whenever feasible, choose beaches with lifeguards on duty. Their trained eyes and rapid response can be a lifesaver in water emergencies.

5. Never brave the waves alone on unguarded shores:

• If you choose to swim at beaches without lifeguards, make it a rule never to swim solo. Always bring a friend, and ensure that person has a cell phone to call 911 in case of an emergency.

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.