3 ms·

yes, that's better, but in that case, it's about possible death (how possible?), rather than probable death, so it's (intentionally?) ambiguous. it seems to la

yes, that's better, but in that case, it's about possible death (how possible?), rather than probable death, so it's (intentionally?) ambiguous. it seems to lack information about when rip currents are most likely, and more to the point, the statistical likelihood of death from entering the water at all. i'm personally not a strong swimmer so would avoid it anyways, but that information might more readily dissuade others by simply putting trust in the reader to make an appropriate life or death decision.

nradov 6y ago
Death is not probable. A lot of people swim and surf there. The majority survive.
- rriepe 6y ago
  It's the deadliest beach in the state.
- clairity 6y ago
  exactly, the sign's information is incomplete, so it's likely completely disregarded due to contrary social proof rather than through reasonable assessment. rip currents apparently kill less than 100 people per year in the US (mostly weaker swimmers who panic).
  - FeepingCreature 6y ago
    I vaguely remember the advice being to swim sideways until you're out of the current. Is that valid?
    - nradov 6y ago
      That depends. In some cases it's best to swim parallel to the shore. In other cases it's best to just tread water and let the current circulate you back to the beach. https://www.usla.org/page/ripcurrents https://www.usla.org/page/ripcurrents
    - rurban 6y ago
      Best is to turn on your head and understand the rip. In most cases the rip is very narrow, like 2-5 meters. For an experienced surfer the rip is an extremely good thing, it's a free lift to bring you out to the surf. But inexperienced swimmers panick and try to fight the rip. You cannot fight the elevator, you just have to step out of it. And some rips make turns. You really can predict how the the rip flows by observing the coastline, the wind direction and the waves coming in. When I was surf instructor the most important thing was to explain how this works.

nradov 6y ago

Death is not probable. A lot of people swim and surf there. The majority survive.

rriepe 6y ago
It's the deadliest beach in the state.
clairity 6y ago
exactly, the sign's information is incomplete, so it's likely completely disregarded due to contrary social proof rather than through reasonable assessment. rip currents apparently kill less than 100 people per year in the US (mostly weaker swimmers who panic).
- FeepingCreature 6y ago
  I vaguely remember the advice being to swim sideways until you're out of the current. Is that valid?
  - nradov 6y ago
    That depends. In some cases it's best to swim parallel to the shore. In other cases it's best to just tread water and let the current circulate you back to the beach. https://www.usla.org/page/ripcurrents https://www.usla.org/page/ripcurrents
  - rurban 6y ago
    Best is to turn on your head and understand the rip. In most cases the rip is very narrow, like 2-5 meters. For an experienced surfer the rip is an extremely good thing, it's a free lift to bring you out to the surf. But inexperienced swimmers panick and try to fight the rip. You cannot fight the elevator, you just have to step out of it. And some rips make turns. You really can predict how the the rip flows by observing the coastline, the wind direction and the waves coming in. When I was surf instructor the most important thing was to explain how this works.