6:11am
A large south-southwest swell generated by a storm off the New Zealand is being blamed for high waves and strong rip currents across many of Southern California’s beaches this holiday weekend.
Los Angeles County firefighters warn beachgoers to be cautious this holiday weekend.
On thursday a swimmer who got caught in a rip current at Venice Beach was pulled unconscious, and in full cardiac arrest, from the water. The 28 year old man later died in hospital.
Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department said Lifeguards and firefighters rendered advanced lifesaving measures before the man was taken to a hospital.
The hazardous swimming conditions are expected to last throughout the Labor Day weekend and into Tuesday, peaking today and tomorrow, according to the National Weather
Service.
Beach-goers are reminded, if they do get caught in a strong current, to avoid panicking, staying calm, and focusing on going with the flow or swimming parallel to the shore rather than fighting against the current.