With the arrival of summer, many people are looking forward to a nice swim in the sea. However, be careful not to underestimate the dangers of water and in particular of the phenomenon known as “square waves”. Although it may seem fascinating to look at, it is actually quite dangerous.
Square waves, or “cross seas,” form when two distinct weather systems generate waves that collide from different directions. This means that, being in a crossing sea, you can encounter two sets of waves moving in different directions, creating a dangerous situation.
A phenomenon that is far from the idyllic image of the waves that we know and love and that can mislead even the most experts if underestimated. And no, it is not something rare, but rather it is quite common and these undertows are responsible for a large part of drownings at sea.
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It feels like being caught in some kind of vortex
The danger of square waves is often spread by images and videos posted on the web, with users commenting each time giving their experiences on the matter, making it clear that it is not something that only occurs from time to time.
Many have also warned other people, letting them know that it is very difficult to get out because you are dragged in two different directions and therefore you get tired more easily trying to get back to shore. Some have argued that it feels like being caught in some kind of vortex.
So what to do if you find yourself faced with square waves? Don’t panic, but above all let’s not feel capable of dealing with it or take the opportunity to post photos on social media: the safest thing to do is to get out of the water immediately to avoid unpleasant inconveniences.
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