Summertime fodder...

I like body-surfing and have done it at Florida and Carolinas beaches for many years. What if something went wrong...

E.g. a couple summers ago my uncle and my dad both almost drowned in a rip tide. They struggled against it toward shore (*WRONG* thing go do), then came to their senses and swam parallel to the beach until the current was less strong, but by then they were almost too weak to make it back.

Let's say I'm fairly tired already, but not exhausted, from an active afternoon body-surfing. I plan to call it quits soon, but get caught in a severe rip tide. (BTW my uncle and dad were caught in a mild one.) There were no rip-tide warnings posted, so it is a case of bad luck not stupidity. After 10 seconds of near-panic, I force myself to calm down and gently swim on my back parallel to the beach, but I get swept out much farther than normal.

I don't know if the following is realistic [opinions on this point are welcome], but since I'm making this up, let's say it is hard to get back to shore for some reason -- prevailing wind, leg cramp, offshore current, etc. I'm going to be out here for a while -- what could I have realistically carried on my person that would help me now?

Let's say I have zippered pockets on my bathing suit. No boogie-board, 'cause I don't use one. Whatever you propose should not hinder normal swimming.

Best to all,
Steve