Most often, it happens in waist-deep water, experts say. Most rips don’t go very far out to sea so save energy and don’t fight or swim against it. How to identify and survive a riptide. Once you are no longer caught in the riptide or being pulled away from the shore, you can turn and swim back to the beach. Simon Robb Thursday 25 Aug 2016 11:16 am. TRY TO WADE – Can you touch the bottom? Focus on staying afloat until you are rescued or swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current. Jimmy Minardi, founder of East End Ocean Rescue, teaches us how to get out a rip … Most rip currents are 50 to 100 feet wide, so you shouldn’t have to swim too far to escape its pull. Knowing what to do could save your life! Share this article via facebook Share this article via twitter Share this article via twitter How to Survive a Rip Tide or Rip Current. How to survive a riptide. A riptide or rip current is a strong, localized narrow current of water that moves away from the shore with its strength strongest near the surface of the water. How to survive a rip current. Make sure you stay safe when conditions turn. It’s also wise to know how to identify rip currents before you enter the water. By SALLY-ANNE ARGYLE, Sun Surfer 27th October 2014, 12:08 pm. It is easy to be caught in a rip current. If you are caught in a rip current take these steps to escape and survive: – DON’T PANIC – Number 1 tip, try to stay calm. There are plenty of currents to be aware of, but a riptide is an easy one to get caught in, and an even easier one to survive — if you know what to do. In a panic you may forget to check. Most riptide deaths are caused by exhaustion and drowning due to the swimmer fighting the current. If you are swimming in the ocean this summer getting caught in a riptide is a real possibility. How to identify and survive a riptide. 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