SHORT TAKES:Lifeguards rescue hundreds and reinforce beach safety

Lifeguards have rescued hundreds over the last few days, prompting authorities to warn beachgoers to be mindful of strong rip currents.

Five people were pulled this week from the surf at Newport Beach during a nighttime rescue, Newport Beach Lifeguards said. A 12-year-old girl in the group was taken to the hospital and treated for exhaustion, but no one else was hurt, authorities said.

At 8:35 p.m. Monday police received a 911 call of swimmers in distress near 12th Street on the Balboa Peninsula. Lifeguards found five swimmers — adults and teens — caught in a rip current.

They were able to rescue all the victims despite the dark and nearly 6-foot high surf, fire department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz said.

“Without the police assistance with the spotlights, it would have been very difficult to find those victims,” Schulz said.

Lifeguards rescued 375 over the last three days, Schulz said.

The department recommended a number of safety tips for beachgoers over the busy holiday weekend.

*Learn to swim.

*Swim near a lifeguard.

*Never swim alone. When you swim with a buddy, if one of you has a problem, the other may be able to help, including signaling for assistance from others. At least have someone onshore watching you.

*Don’t fight the current. If you are caught in a rip current, don’t fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore.

*Leash your board. Surfboards and bodyboards should be used only with a leash.

*Don’t float where you can’t swim.

*Don’t dive headfirst, and protect your neck.

*Don’t drink and swim.

— Kelly Strodl