GALVESTON, Texas — A man died after getting caught in a rip current while swimming near Pleasure Pier in Galveston Saturday, according to Galveston Beach Patrol.
Galveston Beach Patrol said around noon, five people were swimming just past Pleasure Pier when they were caught in a strong rip current.
Lifeguards rescued three people. Another person swam to shore on their own.
Beach patrol said a 26-year-old man from Louisiana went under and was found in the water between the Murdoch Gift Shop and Pleasure Pier.
Rescue crews performed CPR on the man until EMS arrived. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Beach patrol said at least a dozen people were rescued throughout the day Saturday.
Rip current warning along Texas coast
There's a rip current warning all along the Texas coast this Memorial Day weekend.
Galveston Island Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said all weekend long they’ll be flying a red flag warning at the beach.
“If you’re a good swimmer who’s an adult, you don’t want to go above your waist and stay extra far away from jetties. If you’re a non-swimmer and you have kids, it’s a great day to make a sandcastle,” Davis said.
That means those people should stay out of the water. Why? Well, Davis said dangers are lurking in the water in the form of rip currents.
“A rip current is essentially a little river that leads straight out to the water,” Davis said.
Davis said the dangerous rip currents like to form near jetties and piers. That’s why he’s asking everyone in the water to stay even further away from them than normal. If you do find yourself in a rip current, there’s one thing to remember.
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“Don’t panic and float. As long as you stay calm and float, you're going to be ok,” Davis told KHOU 11 News.
Davis said you should call for help once the water calms.
What to do if you get caught in a rip current
Even strong swimmers can get into trouble if they get caught in a rip current. At speeds of up to eight feet per second, the currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer, according to NOAA.
If it happens to you, yell for help and try not to panic.
"Relax and float. Don`t swim against the current," the National Weather Service advises. "If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline."
Before you head to the beach, always check your local beach conditions. Look at the wave forecast. If you have waves two to three feet high or greater, you could have strong rip currents.
Rip currents usually occur during low tide.
Once you're there, listen to the lifeguards and beach patrol. Pay attention to flags and signs.
If warning flags are up, adult swimmers should stay in water no more than waist deep, while non-swimmers and children should be kept along the surf line.
Swim near a lifeguard, if possible.