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

Going into the water is no different than taking a hike. Do people know your body surfing? Are there people on the beach, a lifeguard? I am not a strong swimmer. I am, in fact anything but gracile in the water. But I somehow acquired a sense of familiarity with salt water opposite of my deep phobia for clorinated public swimming pools. I learned to RELAX and literally 'go with the flow' much as a judo master uses an opponent's own momentum and mass. Practise the 'Deadman's float' and to conserve energy. Water is no different than a hiking trail. Seek a map; from experienced users, observations of the current conditions etc.

Assuming you aren't solo at a deserted beach, a minimalist kit that would likely get attention and rescue would be a waterproof signal mirror and a Storm Whistle on a secure safety lanyard.

Try a body suit with one of those thin air line May Wests underneath where it won't show. The body suit is boyant and if you needed it the May west it could be moved to the outside of the suit and inflated.

or one like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/4000-Offshore-power-life-jacket-inflatable-PFD_W0QQitemZ300134349430

I know it isn't what you want to hear, but: Personal flotation device and PLB.

-john

I can't add anything to what should be carried, but your post comes just a week after an article in the local paper:
Rip current article

I thought it was interesting that they're trying to predict rip tides/currents using cameras on the surf. Pretty cool.
Jason

a break and shake light for visibility at night?

Kiddie arm floaties... in international orange, of course! They keep you afloat and can be used as a signaling flag.

1. stay calm
2. have a whistle
3. maybe add belt pack inflatable pdf...you can get them for around 70 bucks from stearns I think.

I doubt you can really fool around with much gear while you are trying to save yourself in a riptide. The more you fool with gear, the more you using up energy.

I used to swim laps everyday and noticed how much more energy it took to swim the same distance in the ocean, much of the fatigue attributable to not being used to the unpredictable environment. But I did notice that once I relaxed, and found my stroke and breathing rhythm, swimming (parallel to the shore) was much easier, even in a slight chop. Having said that, when you do any activity long enough you can feel when your body has reached its half-way fatigue point. I'd say, along with all the other great safety advice, make sure you don't go past your half-way point, especially in the water.