A rip current statement was issued by the National Weather Service on Thursday at 3:29 p.m. valid from Friday 6 p.m. until Sunday 7 p.m. for Mobile and Baldwin counties.

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

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” comments 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, swift channels of water flowing away from the shore at surf beaches, can turn a day at the beach into a dangerous situation. Understanding how to respond when caught in one is crucial. The weather service offers these life-saving tips:

1. Keep your cool – 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:

• If at all possible, only swim at beaches with lifeguards.

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.

With these insights into rip currents and how to react, you can enhance your safety when enjoying the beach. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize your well-being while relishing 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.