Living in Australia as an expat is a dream for many people around the world, and those lucky enough to have moved here know that there is much to look forward to on our beautiful and diverse land.

But living overseas, particularly in a drastically different country, also comes with some unique safety considerations that a newcomer may not be familiar with.

That was the harsh lesson Jordana Grace, a British expat living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, recently learned when she went to the beach – and almost paid the ultimate price.

Jordana took to TikTok to share her story, explaining how she was unpleasantly introduced to the dangerous power of a rip current at the beach and how it almost cost her her life.

A British expat's recent beach excursion got her caught in a rip current and swept out to sea. Credit: Pexels/Ben Mack.

She said that, before she even made her way into the sea, she had already made a 'British mistake' – she hadn't stepped between the flags, as is advised for anyone venturing into the surf.

Things quickly went from bad to worse when she stepped in the water; not only had she not noticed the rip, but she also couldn't see it clearly, because she had not brought her glasses to the beach.

As the waves swept her out to sea and she strained her eyes to get a better view of her location on the beach, Jordana said she realised the gravity of her mistake.

'I made such a British mistake today in Australia; I should know better than this. I've been here for a while now. And even worse is that I wasn't wearing my glasses, so I couldn't see very well,' she said.

Fortunately, the rip was not too powerful, and Jordana eventually made it back to shore.

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In her video, she asked viewers to remember her lesson and always swim between the flags.

'So to all British people coming here, swim between the flags; I didn't do that today. Don't do a Jordi, tourists! Don't do this! Things NOT to do in Australia. Play safe, swim safe,' she said.

Members, please take Jordana's story as a reminder to always take safety seriously when visiting the beach.

This is obviously something that a lot of us – especially are planning some beachside holiday this summer – must take into account. Thankfully, Jordana's rip was 'gentle', and she was able to drift back to the shore safely, but that’s not always the case.

Beaches are such a beautiful part of living here, and it is so important to take every precaution when you venture out into the water.

Stay safe, and have fun!

Credit: Surf Life Saving Australia.​

 

[JayKay]

I think if she'd worn her glasses into the sea, she may not have them any longer.
Wouldn't the power of the water have washed them away?

 

[Iggydi]

Even Australians refuse to or don't swim between the flags. My sister in law came here from France and she had a full on argument with the life savers saying she didn't want to swim in between the flags. They said to her" Well when you are drowning we won't come and help you, so go ahead and swim where you want" She wasn't expecting them to say that. She did swim between the flags when she did go swimming. Be careful in the water. Sometimes it doesn't give you a second chance.