Dangerous Rip Currents Have Formed Off Canada's East Coast In PEI
This is not the time to get in the water for a swim if you're out east. P.E.I. National Park is warning people to stay out of the ocean there because rip currents have formed. Being in the water isn't recommended right now.
Parks Canada, through P.E.I. National Park, put out a notice on Twitter about the dangerous surf conditions at the park for August 5.
To make sure everyone is safe, visitors are being told that going into the water right now isn't recommended because of the rip currents and what they can do.
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They are powerful and fast-moving currents that pull you away from the shore.
If you encounter a rip while in the water, Parks Canada recommends staying calm first and foremost.
You should also conserve energy and attract attention in case you need help.
Don't swim against the current or try to fight it. You can escape from rips by swimming parallel to the shore and towards breaking waves.
Treading water is also recommended as waves can help bring you back to shore even if you're just floating and not swimming out of the rip.
If you can't get out of it on your own, you should call out or wave for assistance.
Parks Canada said that even the strongest of swimmers can be pulled out to by rip currents.
They form when energy from the surf gets caught between the beach and offshore sandbars.
Even without rips, it's recommended that you only go in the water if you know how to swim, never swim alone and don't in if you have any doubts.
People in P.E.I. might be looking to cool off from the heat with a dip in the ocean but don't do it in the waters off of the national park.
The entire province is under a heat warning from Environment Canada because of warm and humid weather.
Temperatures could feel like 36 C with the humidex.
Part of a crater on Mars was named after P.E.I. National Park by a Canadian scientist that's working on the recently launched Mars rover.
He chose the park because the province has some similar mineral aspects to the Red Planet.