A 61-year-old woman had to be rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard on Saturday afternoon after she found herself unable to get back to shore while swimming off Karteros, east of Heraklion.
The woman got into difficulty while in the water and was unable to make her way back to the beach. A Coast Guard patrol vehicle was dispatched to the area, and a Coast Guard officer entered the sea, reached the swimmer and helped her safely back to shore.
The woman told authorities that she was feeling well after the incident and declined medical assistance.
The rescue comes after a particularly windy day in the area, raising the obvious question of how conditions can change the risk even for experienced swimmers.
A swim that looks perfectly manageable from the shore can become a very different proposition once wind, waves and currents are involved.
The Coast Guard confirmed that the woman was not transported to a medical facility after declining further assistance.
The incident is also a timely reminder that the sea deserves respect, particularly on windy days.
Avoid swimming alone, even if you are a confident swimmer. Having someone nearby can make a crucial difference if conditions suddenly change or you experience a problem in the water.
Swimmers should also follow lifeguards’ instructions and pay close attention to the beach flags. A red flag is not a suggestion or a challenge. It means conditions are considered dangerous and entering the water is unsafe.
