# Do you know how to get out of a rip current?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 26, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879 "2015-05-26T13:59:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879/21 "2015-05-27T12:50:14Z")

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> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> Just genitally try to go sideways but also do not exhaust yourself in that effort. It will give up way out there and will bring you back.

So, wait for The Sideways Wiener of Fate™ to save you?

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**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879/22 "2015-05-27T15:33:38Z")

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> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> …Just genitally try to go sideways but also do not exhaust yourself in that effort.

(post shortened)

You DA MAN!

Personally, I would use my hands and feet in a swimming motion. I suppose there are some who could mount a yardarm to the ol’ yardarm, raise a headsail, and cruise home in style.

(just kidding 😉 I apologize in advance to anyone I may have offended.)

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**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879/23 "2015-05-27T18:26:06Z")

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Native Floridian. I’ve been caught in rip tides a few times. Just go with the flow, it’ll let you loose eventually. Try to swim parallel to shore, but don’t exhaust yourself.

I’ve found that floating on my back while it “pulls” you out uses less energy than trying to “swim” with the current. YMMV.

Also, if you get caught in one, it’s really great if you happen to have your surfboard or boogie board with you. That extra bit of buoyancy is nice.

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**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879/24 "2015-05-29T12:31:37Z")

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I do!

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**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-how-to-get-out-of-a-rip-current/720879/25 "2015-05-31T02:57:39Z")

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> [@Machine\_Elf](#):
>
> The casual follow-up question: how many of you are certain that your kids know how to escape a rip current?

I’m not even certain that I have kids.

(I don’t.)

[To the best of my knowledge.]

\<And prayers.\>

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