We strongly urge people to watch the flag systems. The worst thing to do when caught in a riptide is fight it, according to Hallman. The riptide only goes for a couple hundred feet and eventually will ease up, and you will be able to swim away. The big thing is not to panic. Swim parallel to the shore and eventually the riptide will weaken, and you can swim back to the shore.
Rescuers strongly urge people to pay attention to the flag system.
The red flag signifies rip currents or other hazards exist. Yellow means caution and signifies waters may be rough with undercurrents and rip currents. And blue flags means calm seas, but blue flags do not guarantee safety. Rip currents can occur on calm days. Just because some visitors grew up swimming in pools or lakes and think they are good swimmers does not mean they will know how to handle the Gulf, according to Hughes.