4 ms·

People underestimate the powers within oceanic beach waters, particularly how powerless you are if you are caught within a rip (As far as I remember: do nothing

People underestimate the powers within oceanic beach waters, particularly how powerless you are if you are caught within a rip (As far as I remember: do nothing, try not to drown, eventually the rip will "leave you be"). It comes down to where they live; either because of geography or of cultural issues keeping people from gaining much swimming experience. If you live on the Cimbrian Peninsula e.g. you're in a position to experience how vastly different open waters can be (calmer baltic sea or the stronger north sea shores are never more than 1h away). But most of the time, people only have one option of open waters. Anyway, here is a video by the surf rescue Australia explaining how to spot rips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAlDTC_gIQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAlDTC_gIQ

orbital-decay 8y ago
I was born in a landlocked country with plenty of lakes, and was taught to swim simply by jumping into a deep river. I've learned how to deal with otherwise deadly whirpools by letting them drag you to the bottom then swimming along the stream. I knew how to efficiently swim against a fast stream if needed. I knew how to navigate the muddy water. I've crossed a spring flood once when I was young and stupid. I was sure that seas with their salt waters are no problem. Boy was I naive; in my first real sea swim I nearly died to a current dragging me a couple miles into the sea through a flock of jellyfish.
- Bromskloss 8y ago
  > how to efficiently swim against a fast stream How does that differ from just swimming fast?
  - jessaustin 8y ago
    Not OP, but the current is slower in eddies and at the very bottom. If you actually need to get upstream rather than just have fun playing, you can just walk on the bank. ISTM the only absolutely necessary technique for fast streams is the ferry. Speed is definitely helpful for that, although it isn't entirely "swimming against".
    - Bromskloss 8y ago
      Sorry, what does "ISTM" and "the ferry" mean here?
      - jessaustin 8y ago
        Ferrying is crossing a river, by propelling oneself (either swimming or in a boat) diagonally across and against the main current. In e.g. a canoe it's easy to do so without being pushed downstream at all, while when swimming you will lose some ground. The skill is knowing the best angle to take. "ISTM" is "it seems to me", in any online discussion. b^)
  - orbital-decay 8y ago
    Plain rivers in the place I originally from are usually either deep or fast, so to go through a rapid you can dive to the bottom where the stream is slower, then swim some time underwater, usually at some angle. A series of dives was much more efficient compared to surface swimming.

orbital-decay 8y ago

I was born in a landlocked country with plenty of lakes, and was taught to swim simply by jumping into a deep river. I've learned how to deal with otherwise deadly whirpools by letting them drag you to the bottom then swimming along the stream. I knew how to efficiently swim against a fast stream if needed. I knew how to navigate the muddy water. I've crossed a spring flood once when I was young and stupid. I was sure that seas with their salt waters are no problem. Boy was I naive; in my first real sea swim I nearly died to a current dragging me a couple miles into the sea through a flock of jellyfish.

Bromskloss 8y ago
> how to efficiently swim against a fast stream How does that differ from just swimming fast?
- jessaustin 8y ago
  Not OP, but the current is slower in eddies and at the very bottom. If you actually need to get upstream rather than just have fun playing, you can just walk on the bank. ISTM the only absolutely necessary technique for fast streams is the ferry. Speed is definitely helpful for that, although it isn't entirely "swimming against".
  - Bromskloss 8y ago
    Sorry, what does "ISTM" and "the ferry" mean here?
    - jessaustin 8y ago
      Ferrying is crossing a river, by propelling oneself (either swimming or in a boat) diagonally across and against the main current. In e.g. a canoe it's easy to do so without being pushed downstream at all, while when swimming you will lose some ground. The skill is knowing the best angle to take. "ISTM" is "it seems to me", in any online discussion. b^)
- orbital-decay 8y ago
  Plain rivers in the place I originally from are usually either deep or fast, so to go through a rapid you can dive to the bottom where the stream is slower, then swim some time underwater, usually at some angle. A series of dives was much more efficient compared to surface swimming.