Beach safety a high priority today

With 80 degree weather forecast for today, Historic City News is expecting crowded beach conditions to continue throughout the holiday.

A moderate risk of Labor Day rip current is forecast along the Northeast Florida coast, including all of St. Johns County. A rip current is a narrow surface current of water moving seaward. It can often be identified by foamy, choppy, or discolored water.

If you are caught in a rip current, do not panic! The rip current will not pull you under.

Swim or wade sideways across the current (meaning parallel to the beach) until out of its pull.

Or ride the current out beyond the sandbar, then swim toward the shore at an angle.

Rip currents, in an average year, are more deadly than lightning, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined.

Since 1932, the St. Johns County Division of Beach Safety has been working to promote high levels of water safety throughout St. Johns County. In 1993, the lifeguard service was recognized by the United States Lifesaving Association as an Advanced Lifeguard Agency.

This certification places St. Johns County on a small but very distinguished list of the most respected lifesaving agencies in America. To date, there are only 21 lifeguard agencies in the United States which have achieved this distinction.

St. Johns County lifeguards are trained and experienced in recognizing dangerous surf conditions and water rescue techniques; for additional safety, swim within sight of a lifeguard tower.

Please help them make our Labor Day at the beach safe and fun.

Photo credit: Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire