That reminds me of when I got caught in a riptide and couldn't swim back. I just let go and got dragged out while I accepted my death. Then a lifeguard emerged out if nowhere. His buoy had a rope attached that they were cranking from the shore.

There was so much pressure from the currents that the fucking rope snapped. He started hyperventilating and I had to comfort him while we drifted out on the buoy.

A wave runner manned by another lifeguard finally showed up and dragged us behind. He had to zip zag to make any progress because the currents were so strong. Took us like 10 mins to get back to shore.