# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Travel Safety

How to Survive a Whirlpool

A whirlpool is a swirling body of water. This is usually created by ocean tides. Though there has never been a documented whirlpool that was strong enough to sink a person, the real danger of whirlpools is drowning. Disorientation and nausea are a swimmer's worst enemy in a whirlpool and are usually the ultimate reason why whirlpools are incredibly dangerous. Finding yourself in a whirlpool is unlikely, but if that unlikely event were to occur, follow the steps below to come out alive.

Instructions

- 1
  Remain calm. Though easier said than done, staying calm enables you to react properly. Remember that a whirlpool does not have the strength required to sink a person.
- 2
  Keep your head out of the water. Avoid swimming underwater because you may reach a deeper part of the whirlpool and not realize how far away you are from the surface.
- 3
  Use your arms to make long, powerful strokes. Use your legs to flutter kick. This is the most powerful swimming stroke in a whirlpool.
- 4
  Swim diagonally out of the whirlpool. This will allow you to work with the current as opposed to against it.
- 5
  Pace yourself. It can take minutes of vigorous swimming to get out of a whirlpool, so use your energy wisely.
- 6
  Swim as far away from the whirlpool as possible until rescued. You do not want to risk ending up back in the whirlpool because of being swept by a current, so swim to safety as soon as you get out of the whirlpool.