A 55-year-old man was assisted by members of the SeaWatch Project on Wednesday afternoon after being swept away by a rip current at Almagreira Beach in Peniche.
The victim, a Romanian national, encountered “difficulties in the water,” according to a statement from the National Maritime Authority (AMN).
The organization reported that the situation was noticed “during a surveillance operation” when members of the SeaWatch Project observed “a group of people around the victim, who was in a lateral safety position on the sand and experiencing breathing difficulties.”
Oxygen was administered to him until the arrival of the Peniche Volunteer Firefighters, who transported the victim to a hospital.
What is a Rip Current? How to Identify It?
According to the authority, “a rip current involves a flow of water from the shore towards the sea, created by the return of water brought to the beach by waves.”
In an informational video, the AMN explained that areas where rip currents occur are characterized “by the absence of waves” and can be identified by factors such as different water color, the lack of surface foam, and an opposing wave movement.
The organization reminded that “these currents can be very strong,” capable of dragging people “to deeper and more distant areas of the beach.”
If caught in a rip current, the AMN emphasized that it is important to “stay calm,” “not panic and not try to fight the current.” Additionally, you should “call for help and swim laterally until you are out of the current’s grip” and able to “exit the water at a distant location.”
