You've likely seen brightly colored flags whipping in the sea breezes above beach accesses. But what are they warning you about? Well, they're giving you a heads-up on the Gulf's current condition! A red flag might be intuitive, but what about yellow or purple...
Knowing how to interpret these flags is an important part of staying safe while you swim on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and we've got a video that'll help you out here.
Keep in mind, rough waters aren't the only indicator that a dangerous current might be present, as they can appear even when the sea looks calm. Which is why it's equally important to learn how to avoid rip currents and how to escape them—even when a red flag isn't flying.
Thankfully, the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency has released a document full of hints and helpful images, and we've included many of them below. Without further ado, let's (carefully) dive into its tips.
Photo Credit: Hannah Lusk
How to Spot a Rip Current
1. Rip currents are most prevalent when the waves crash perpendicular to the beach rather than at an angle.
2. One of the easiest ways to spot a rip current is to look for gaps between the waves. A small patch of calm water surrounded by waves is often a rip current.
3. Look for discolored water near the shore. Rip currents tend to drag large amounts of sand and sediment back out to sea with them, so many rip currents are easily identified by a noticeable flow of sand extending away from the shore.
4. Rip currents are also common in areas near sand bars, piers, pilings and jetties.
Photo Credit: Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency
How to Escape a Rip Current
5. Remain calm. Fighting the rip current can exhaust you.
6. Escape the current by swimming parallel to the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle—away from the current—toward shore.
7. If unable to escape by swimming, float or treat water. When the current weakens, swim at an angle away from the current toward the shore.
8. If at any time you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: Face the shore, call or wave for help.
9. To help someone else caught in a rip current, first call 9-1-1 for assistance, then seek help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not present, yell instructions on how to escape, or throw the victim something that floats.
How to Stay in the Know
10. Sign up to receive daily beach conditions and warning flag status by texting ALBEACHES to 888777. You can easily opt out from text alerts by texting STOP.
Photo Credit: Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency
Be sure to study up on these 10 tips and have a safe and relaxing vacation with us here in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!