A vacationer headed down to the beach in Los Cabos, Mexico, to quickly dip her toes in the water. Her scary experience led her to warn others not to ignore “red flags” to avoid a dangerous situation.
In a video with over 1.2 million views, TikToker Mary (@hospitalitywithmary) tearfully tells viewers that she “almost died in the water.”
She says she noticed a red flag posted on the beach, which indicates that the water is too dangerous to swim in. However, she didn’t think dipping her toes in would be so dangerous.
What Happened When She Dipped Her Toes In?
She says she “knew fully” that she couldn’t swim in the water and only wanted to get her feet wet. At first, the water didn’t come in, so she walked a little further toward the waves.
Then, before she could react, a large wave knocked her off her feet and “swept [her] out to sea.”
“I came up for air, and I was screaming because that undertow was so strong,” she recounts. “Another wave came and dunked me again.”
She says the sand underneath her also swept away with each wave, making it difficult for her to regain her footing and escape the waves.
“My husband came running and took my hand. This other man was there,” Mary says. “I’m just so grateful to be here.”
Mary warns other vacationers not to ignore red flags on the beach, even if they just want to get their toes wet.
What Do Red Flags At The Beach Mean?
Lifeguards place different colored flags along the shoreline as a signal to beachgoers who might want to swim in the ocean. Each color indicates the safety conditions of the ocean at that time.
According to the United States Lifeguarding Association, a red flag like the one Mary saw means “high hazard.” Vacationers should avoid getting in the water if they see a red flag.
A double red, or “red over red,” flag indicates that the water is closed to the public.
When conditions are okay for swimming, you may not see a flag at all. The International Life Saving Federation hasn’t adopted the use of a green flag to avoid suggesting that ocean conditions are ever completely safe. However, some beaches in the United States may fly one.
Will Travelers Heed Her Warning?
Viewers shared mixed reactions to the TikToker’s experience. While some pointed out that she should have known what the red flag meant, others said they wouldn’t have known not to touch the water at all.
“Thanks for posting, because putting my toes in wouldn’t be the same as swimming to me, and probably to many others. Glad you are ok,” one wrote.
Another said, “Mary, I’m an open water swimmer. Your message so important. No one reads signs or pays attention to warnings. Please take your time and find some calm and be proud of this message.”
“So happy you survived. I wouldnt have thought dipping toes in was as dangerous as going fully in,” a third commented.
Others suggested that travelers in Los Cabos should avoid the ocean altogether.
A commenter said, “When we went to Los Cabis we were told to NEVER EVER EVER go in the ocean there due to the rip currents undertoe etc. I am so glad you’re ok.”
“Cabo???? baby I stayed away from that water…I was scared to even walk on the beach… no maam,” a second added.
@hospitalitywithmary I had a split second life-changing moment while I was trying to dip my toes in the water. I was not swimming. I was just looking to dip my toe in the water and this giant wave came up and knocked me down and swept me out to sea. Thank God, 🙏 my husband saved me
BroBible reached out to Mary via TikTok direct message and comment. We will update the story when she replies.