The Japanese Lifesaving Association is warning beachgoers not to swim directly toward the shore when caught in a rip current [1].

These powerful channels of water, often referred to as “death currents,” can quickly pull swimmers away from the coast. Because rip currents are common during the summer vacation season, authorities are emphasizing specific escape techniques to prevent panic and drowning [1, 2].

In a safety segment reported from Tokyo, YTN correspondent Lee Seung-bae demonstrated the futility of fighting the current head-on. Lee said that even with rapid arm movements and full-strength kicking, a swimmer may be pushed backward rather than moving forward [1].

The Japanese Lifesaving Association warned that attempting to swim toward the beach using a breaststroke can lead to disaster. The association said that if a person cannot return to the coast, they may fall into a state of panic and drown [1].

Rescuers said that the natural instinct to swim straight back to land is often the most dangerous response. Instead of fighting the force of the water, swimmers are advised to move parallel to the shore to exit the current's path before attempting to return to the beach [1, 2].

Safety officials said that water-play accidents peak during the summer months. The demonstration highlighted how quickly a swimmer can be displaced from the shoreline, making it critical for visitors to recognize the signs of a rip current before entering the water [1].

“If you cannot return to the coast, you may fall into a state of panic and drown.”

The focus on rip current education reflects a broader public health effort to reduce seasonal drowning rates. By correcting the instinctive but flawed response of swimming directly toward the shore, safety organizations aim to reduce the physical exhaustion and panic that typically lead to fatalities in coastal environments.