Swim near a lifeguard: Fla. beach records 6 deaths so far this year
Over the weekend, three more tourists on Panama City Beach died in the Gulf of Mexico, making Panama City beaches the deadliest in the nation so far this year.
The Gulf of Mexico has been known to have deadly rip currents, but according to officials, many were repeatedly warned about the rough current conditions.
According to Daryl Paul of Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, "A lot of the times the rescues are simply from the people that we already warned."
Of the six fatal water incidents this year, five were on beaches without lifeguards.
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"It's unfortunate and our lifeguards are doing everything they can.” Paul said. “They are very diligent. We work very hard."
Beach safety officials say that you can take preventative measures while on the beach like only swimming near a lifeguard.
If you get caught in a rip current, do not try and fight. Stay calm, call or wave for help. Officials recommend you swim parallel to the shore until you fell the current lessen before trying to swim back to shore.
