Break warning after a swimmer is lost in the sea and drowns near Bude

The Bude Coastguard Rescue Team has issued a high speed warning after a swimmer was lost at sea after being caught in a river. Coastguard rescue teams were called at 9.24pm on Tuesday 4 June to reports of people in distress just north of Northcott Mouth, near Bude.

According to the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team, two females managed to return to shore, but one male remained in the sea. Several coastguard crews, lifeboats and drones worked through the night and into the next day, Wednesday, June 5, to find him.

Despite their best efforts, the missing man was not found and a body was discovered in the Crackington Haven area of ​​Bude on Tuesday 18 June. In the wake of the tragedy, the Coast Guard has issued advice to beachgoers on how to identify rip currents and deal with getting caught in high speed.

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Bude Coastguard Rescue Team said in a Facebook post: “Unfortunately, despite a thorough search, the missing man has not been located at this time. Our thoughts remain very much with his family and friends.”

What to do when you are caught in a big swim

The RNLI has safety advice for swimmers on what to do if they are caught in a butterfly. Most RNLI lifeguard incidents involve rip currents and are a major cause of accidental drowning.

What is a rupture current?

Rips are strong currents out to sea that can quickly pull people and debris away from the shallow shore and into deeper water. They tend to flow at 1–2 mph, but can reach 4–5 mph, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer.

The rips are especially strong in the bigger surf, but never underestimate the power of the water. They are also found around river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures such as dikes and groynes.

How to spot and avoid a rip current

Rip currents can be hard to spot, says the RNLI, but are sometimes identified by a channel of choppy, choppy water at the sea’s surface. Even the most experienced beachgoers can get caught in the rips, so don’t be afraid to ask the lifeguards for advice. They will show you how to identify and avoid breaks.

The best way to avoid rips is to choose a guarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags, which have been marked according to where it is safer to swim in the current conditions. This also helps you to be noticed more easily if something goes wrong.

What to do if it is caught in a tear

• Do not try to swim against the current, you will become exhausted
• If you can stand, then try walking rather than swimming
• If you can, swim parallel to shore until clear of the ravine and then head for shore
• Raise your hand and call for help