Authorities warn of dangers of riptides after recent tragedies

As summer heats up and more people head to cool ocean waters, authorities are issuing new warnings about the deadly nature of the waves.

In recent days, dangerous rip currents have claimed the lives of at least eight swimmers, including men from Birmingham, Alabama, who drowned Friday at a beach in Florida's Bay County.

Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Marius Richardson, 24, were friends from Birmingham, Alabama, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.

“The three men were caught in a current shortly after entering the water,” the statement said.

On Thursday, Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, drowned while visiting a Florida beach about an hour north of West Palm Beach, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

The couple, from Pennsylvania, were visiting the area with their six children, authorities said.

“They were in panic mode and unfortunately went bankrupt,” said John Budeniek, chief deputy with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. “It took them a while before they were able to locate the male who was underwater for some time.”

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that can quickly carry swimmers offshore, away from the beach and into deeper water.

Last year, 91 people died in the United States from rip currents, according to the National Weather Service.

Water safety experts say staying calm can help you survive a rip current. Instead of trying to fight the current, experts advise trying to call or signal for help first. Swim parallel to the shore to escape, following the breaking waves at an angle to return to dry land.

Officials stress that it's also important to swim near a lifeguard and pay attention to warning signs and flags whenever you go in the water.

Related story: 3 Alabama men die after swimming at Florida beach