Hughes, Weiss and Rice were able to bring all three safely to shore. None of the five victims needed hospitalization and were reported to be in good condition. These five were not the only swimmers to fall victim to Thursday's riptide though. Hughes said lifeguards at the beach at Hidden Dunes pulled as many as three swimmers out of the water prior to this water rescue. Riptides are one of the most dangerous Gulf conditions for swimmers to subject themselves to, Hallman added.
Riptides occur when a tide opposing another tide or other tides, produces violently disturbed water.
Hallman described Thursday's current as being like an underwater river. Indications of a possible riptide include a nasty, brown, foamy or murky surf, Hallman said. 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.