Red flags were flying when Dustin Wise went into the Gulf at Panama City Beach. He posted on Facebook that he got caught in a rip current and ended up in the hospital, saved by his sister and other beachgoers.
He's sharing his story to save others. Even though he's physically fit and a strong swimmer, he says he was no match for the rip current.
When Dustin went in, the flags were single red ... which means the water is dangerous, but not closed to swimmers.
Most of that weekend, double red flags were flying and the waters were closed, due to Hurricane Barry.
And yet, even with the waters CLOSED, more than 100 people were pulled from the water.
At one point, a human chain formed to save a swimmer.
At least one swimmer didn't survive the weekend.