What type of rescue technique is advised for a swimmer caught in a rip current?

When dealing with a swimmer caught in a rip current, the advised rescue technique emphasizes swimming parallel to the shore before attempting to swim back. This method is effective because rip currents are typically narrow channels of water that flow away from the shore. By swimming parallel to the shoreline, the swimmer can escape the narrow current and find a safer path back to shore.

It's important to understand that swimming directly back to shore against the current can lead to exhaustion, as the swimmer will likely be overpowered by the force of the current. Additionally, floating until the current subsides does not provide an immediate solution for a swimmer in distress and can lead to increased fatigue and panic. Signaling for help while remaining still may be useful, but it doesn't address the immediate need to escape the rip current. Therefore, swimming parallel allows for a more strategic and safer return to the beach.