At 11:41 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued an updated drift statement effective for Mobile and Baldwin counties until 6 p.m.

“Rib currents can push even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” describes the weather service. “Swim near a lifeguard. If you find yourself caught in a current, relax and let yourself go. Don’t swim against the current. If possible, swim in a direction that follows the shoreline. If you cannot escape, look toward the shore and call or wave for help.”

Navigating Currents: Your Survival Guide

Rip currents are channeled streams of water that flow away from shore on surf beaches. Speeds can vary from moment to moment and quickly increase to become dangerous for anyone entering the surf. Currents can carry even the strongest swimmer away from shore. Trying to swim against a current will only drain your energy; the energy you need to survive and escape the current. If you get caught in a rip current, try to stay calm and follow the weather service’s following advice:

Keep a cool head – they won’t drag you down:

Your first rule of thumb: keep a clear head. Currents do not pull you under the surface of the water. Panic is your enemy; It uses up valuable energy that you need to survive.

Don’t swim against the current:

Trying to swim straight to the beach when caught in a current is pointless and exhausting. The current is too strong. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and away from the current’s grip.

Signal for help if needed:

If you feel like you can’t reach the shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help.

Look for beaches with lifeguards:

If possible, only swim on beaches with lifeguards.

Never swim alone on unguarded beaches:

If you want to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend with you and have them carry a cell phone so they can call 911 for help.

Currents are powerful forces of nature, but knowing how to react can greatly increase your chances of navigating these challenging waters safely. Stay informed, stay vigilant and prioritize safety while surfing.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.