The Gazette
November 20, 2011 8:42 AM




Media reports said Joseph Valentino, 64, and Nick Carlucci, 63, went for a swim in strong waves, and their bodies washed up on the beach near their hotel, the Hotel Magnifico in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.
Photograph by: Hotel Magnifico, Gazette
MONTREAL - Two Italian-Montrealers drowned Tuesday while on vacation in Cabarete, in the Dominican Republic.

Joseph Valentino, 64, and Nick Carlucci, 63, went for a swim in strong waves, and their bodies washed up on the beach later, Valentino’s son told a QMI reporter in Montreal.

Valentino owned Valentino Furniture, a furniture manufacturer in St. Leonard, while Carlucci was sales manager for a car dealership.

Media reports in the Dominican Republic initially said it was a couple from Canada that had drowned – while others said the beach was, or should be, closed to swimmers due to the strong current. The two men had been on vacation in the Caribbean since Nov. 11, and were due to return Nov. 24.



http://www.montrealgazette.com/Montrealers+drown+Dominican+Republic/5738386/story.html#ixzz1eFrCfgQV

Were there no life guards patrolling the beach?

Some one is most definitely responsible.

Only real strong swimmer should venture into these waters when the winds are strong The waves and riptides can be powerful along the north coast.

Worst-Case Scenarios: How To Survive A Riptide


You've taken your rubber duck for a dip in the ocean to show it life beyond the bathtub. All of a sudden, you feel as if a giant vacuum cleaner is pulling you out to sea. Uh-oh! You and your duck are caught in a riptide. What should you do?

Riptides, or rip currents, are long, narrow bands of water that quickly pull any objects in them away from shore and out to sea. They are dangerous but are relatively easy to escape if you stay calm.

Do not struggle against the current.

Most riptide deaths are not caused by the tides themselves. People often become exhausted struggling against the current, and cannot make it back to shore.

Do not swim toward shore.

You will be fighting the current, and you will lose.

Swim parallel to shore, across the current.

Generally speaking, a riptide is less than 100 ft. wide, so swimming beyond it should not be too difficult.

If you cannot swim out of the riptide, float on your back and allow the riptide to take you away from shore until you are beyond the pull of the current.

Rip currents generally subside 50 to 100 yards from shore.

Once the riptide subsides, swim parallel to shore and then back to shore.
Be Aware.

Riptides occur more frequently in strong winds. Streaks of muddy or sandy water and debris moving out to sea through the surf zone are signs that riptides are present. Also look for areas of reduced wave heights in the surf zone and depressions in the beach running perpendicular to shore.

Your duck floats, but it can't swim. It will end up in Hawaii.

Read more: Worst-Case Scenarios: How To Survive A Riptide - Popular Mechanics

I have never seen a lifeguard on the beach Everyone must swim at their own risk and wait until there are many people around that can help save you