The sea is a harsh mistress

[luna481516]

A family is going home from their beach vacation this week without their 13-year-old son and brother. He was taken by the riptide while playing in the water with friends - poof - they saw his hand go up, and he was gone. Two other luckier kids were pulled out of the water but no sign of the boy - despite searches by jetskis, boats, helicopter, and

Comments

[bella_fox]

How terrible. :( I recently read a story about two brothers in their 20s who went fishing; the boat capsized, and they were both lost to riptides.

[luna481516]

Awful. It happens to young, strong people so often too.

[banshee006]

How incredibly sad...

Even if you know what to do....riptides can still be too powerful. Though most lost try to fight against the current and simply get terrified and exhausted :(

We're about to go on a beach vacation soon in Lake Michigan, and I'm insistent of being in an area with lifeguards.

Here's some Riptide Safety Tips.

*big hugs mom* <3

[luna481516]

Thanks bansh! I've never been caught in one myself but I hope I would remember to swim sideways out of it. I've always heard that, so they get the word out.

[venckman]

Terrible. We're having a spell of very dangerous seas right now out here, with heavy surf and some viscious riptides. They are telling people to stay away, but it's hot and people want to go to the beach...The sea can be so very dangerous with no warning at all.

[luna481516]

These riptides are invisible and they were saying they are most dangerous at low tide, which was news to me.

[theladyswan]

That is so sad :(

[luna481516]

It is. It put a pall over everyone at the beach - which no one complained about; there was plenty of sympathy.

[papper_docka]

So incredibly sad. I can't even imagine the pain the family is going through. I don't have kids but I'm sure losing one is the most painful human experience ever.

[luna481516]

I can't imagine it either, and I don't even let myself try because I'd get too upset.
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