Summertime often means spending time near or in the water — which is why water safety is essential for everyone. But not all bodies of water are created equal: a lake is different from a pool, and Gulf Coast beaches differ from those on the Atlantic or Pacific. Ocean behavior can vary greatly depending on the region, making it important to understand the specific water conditions before diving in.

On July 20, beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner tragically died while on vacation with his family in Limón, Costa Rica. The 54-year-old was swimming at the beach when he was caught in a rip current and unable to escape. An off-duty lifeguard spotted Warner, began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the water, and then performed CPR after bringing him back to shore. Sadly, Warner could not be revived.

Rip currents — often mistakenly called riptides — are common in the ocean. In fact, surfers often use them to paddle out past the breaking waves. One surfer, known online as @Kirbydotmatrix, shared a heartfelt video following Warner’s death, expressing his condolences and using the tragedy as a chance to educate others about rip current safety.

“If you’re unfamiliar with how the ocean behaves,” Kirby says, “you can find yourself in a life-threatening situation fast.”

According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, rip currents claim over 100 lives each year. Despite their danger, they are not always visible, making them even more treacherous. If you’ve ever stood in shallow ocean water and suddenly felt yourself pulled away from the shore — even just a few steps — you’ve experienced, in a small way, the pull of a rip current.

When someone swims out into deeper water, they may become trapped in a rip current, which drags them further out to sea. Attempting to swim directly back to shore is often futile — the strength of the current can overpower even strong swimmers, holding them in place or pulling them under.

Kirby explains it clearly:

@kirbydotmatrix Yet another Rip Current death. #malcolmjamalwarner #riptide #surfing ♬ original sound – Kirbydotmatrix

“When a wave crashes on the shore, that water has to go back into the ocean. That pullback is called a rip current. It’s a stream of water rushing back out, and it doesn’t always match the incoming waves one-to-one.”
He continues:
“If you don’t understand what’s happening — if you don’t know you’re in a rip current — it can be deadly. People are out there enjoying the water, and suddenly they try to swim back in, but they can’t.”
Being caught in a rip current is terrifying, especially if you don’t realize what’s happening. But there is a simple, lifesaving technique you can use: don’t swim directly to shore. Swim parallel to the shoreline instead.
Kirby urges:

“Open your eyes. Swim parallel to the coast. Within 20 to 25 yards, you’ll be out of the current. Then you can use the wave energy to help carry you back to shore.”
It’s powerful advice — and he’s encouraging everyone who participates in water activities to share it.
The beach can be a beautiful place for family vacations, but understanding safety signals, like lifeguard flags and wave behavior, is crucial. As time passes since Warner’s tragic death, the hope is that more people will use their voices and experiences to spread awareness of rip currents and other natural dangers.

Warner’s passing is heartbreaking — but it may help save lives if more people take a moment to learn how to stay safe in the water.