Ever had a near death experience?

[mnhtnbb]

21. Near drowning when I was 16.

Had gone to Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas, CA with a friend. He had enough and got out of the water. I was still playing in the waves. Pretty good surf that day. All of a sudden I was getting pulled out after diving through a wave, then pushed toward the shore and then sucked out and another wave would break over me. After several times of the same thing, I realized I was caught in an undertow. I screamed for help. Lifeguard down the beach couldn't hear and didn't see I was in trouble. Friend on the beach didn't realize I was in trouble. I was totally out of breath and energy from fighting to the surface each time I was dragged under. It dawned on me that if I wasn't going to drown I had to get myself out of the situation. Next time I was dragged under, when I came up I let the current carry me out past where the waves were breaking and then started swimming parallel to the shore. I was a good swimmer, having grown up swimming in a private lake in NJ. Passed Red Cross Junior lifesaving when I was 12, but never spent much time in the ocean. I did remember what to do if caught in a rip current or undertow.

I eventually got out of the undertow and was able to get on the beach, but I sure was exhausted. My friend had no clue that I had been in trouble and hadn't heard me yelling for help.