What should you do if you're caught in a rip current at Perdido Key?
If a rip current pulls you out at Perdido Key, do not try to swim straight back to the beach against it — that's how people exhaust themselves. Stay calm and float to conserve energy, then swim parallel to the shoreline until you're out of the narrow current, and only then angle back in. Wave and yell for a lifeguard if you can't escape.
Why rip currents are the real danger
Rip currents — narrow channels of water rushing back out to sea — cause the large majority of surf rescues and drownings on the Gulf Coast, far more than sharks or storms. They're strongest on red-flag days and around the passes and sandbars, but can form on any windy day.
How to escape one
- Don't panic and don't fight it. The current pulls you out, not under.
- Float or tread water to keep your head up and save energy.
- Swim parallel to the beach, not toward it, until you feel the pull release.
- Then angle back to shore at a 45° angle.
- If you can't break free, face the beach, wave your arms, and yell for help.
Avoid them in the first place
Check the flag and surf report before you swim, never swim alone, and keep children within arm's reach. On red-flag days, stay in waist-deep water at most.
Reviewed June 2026. Conditions change daily — for live numbers see Beach Today.