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Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Head of the Department of Geography, Prof. Dr Ali Uzun, said that in order to get rid of the rip current, one should swim parallel to the shoreline and sideways.

Uzun said that drowning cases increased with the arrival of the summer months and that it is necessary to be conscious and careful against the pull current on the Black Sea coasts.

"Rip currents are more likely to occur where there are rifts"

Underlining that the pulling current is the strong current on the beach, Uzun said, "Some special conditions are required for rip currents to occur. We cannot say that rip currents occur on all beaches. There are underwater sand sets that will disrupt the wave pattern on the beaches, especially on the seaside, which we call the foreshore. They have parts that are split by coastal currents in places. Rip currents are more likely to occur where these splits are located."

"The possibility of rip currents increases in periods when the wave height reaches 1-2 metres"

Uzun emphasised that the possibility of rip currents increases in the areas where rocks and breakwaters are protruding towards the sea and in the coastal waters due to the deterioration of the wave pattern and said, "Rip current is a very strong current, but as it is thought, it does not pull the person swimming deeper, the person stays on the surface. Not everyone may notice rip currents, but if you look carefully, the possibility of rip currents increases in periods when the wave height reaches 1-2 metres. If there is a blurred water movement towards the open, if the algae are mixed with sand, we can interpret that there is a rip current there."

"If there is a warning not to enter the sea, it should be taken into account"

Uzun stated that the pulling current is very fast and continued as follows:

"It's difficult even for Olympic swimmers to swim directly to the land. For this reason, we need to be calm when we encounter rip currents, we need to try to stay afloat. If we can swim, we need to swim sideways parallel to the shoreline. Rip currents can reach up to 20-30 metres. Even if caught in the middle of the current, it is possible to reach calm waters after a few strokes if we swim to the side. If we can't do that, let's try to stay afloat, calm, and ask for help on land. Since there is a strong current, it should be noted that those who help them are also in danger. Therefore, it would be better to inform the lifeguard or emergency medical team."

"Drowning cases in Turkey exceed 300 per year"

Stating that the pulling current can be seen on all coasts, therefore it is important to be prepared, Uzun said, "If we know the rip current, it will be possible to survive even if we get caught in it. Drowning cases in Turkey exceed 300 per year. Some of them occur in inland lakes. In the world, this figure reaches 300 thousand. People should be informed about emergency aid against drowning, and measures should be taken in advance against drowning."

Pointing out that especially those coming from the inland regions think, "Let's go in while we are here" even if the sea is wavy, Uzun stated the following:

"Therefore, this increases the danger rate. These risks should not be taken. Some of our people in the inner regions do not know how to swim. They come with people who can swim, but that is a bigger danger. The person who knows how to swim can lose their life while trying to save the person in danger of drowning. For this reason, we strongly recommend that they swim at beaches with lifeguards. If there is a warning not to enter the sea, we strongly recommend that they do not."