Open water distance swimmer here. I'd say it's important for anyone who even comes near the water (particularly kids) to learn drownproofing*. Even if you consider yourself a good swimmer, it's a particularly energy efficient way to stay alive in rough water, and if you're like me (not enough fat to be able to float in fresh water) it's critical.
That said, if you don't have the training for it be very cautious if you're trying to save someone, and if they're clearly panicking assume they'll do their best to drown you in order to get above the water. I never met my paternal grandfather because he drowned trying to save two people. But I'm still in the water whenever I can be - go figure.
If you're going to swim rough water be sure you can swim sidestroke on both sides (I use a sort of 'new paradigm' sidestroke** I came up with because I'm a 'sinker'). That way you can put your back to the spray and not be water-breathing.
*'drown proofing' is a matter of being vertical in the water. Let your arms and legs spread as you sink; to go back up, squeeze legs together, arms to your sides and exhale as you go. When you head breaks water, inhale. Shout for help if you're in trouble. I'm pretty sure lifeguards are now trained to look for people doing this, but maybe not... I teach this to kids all the time, but as I mentioned it's a usefull skill no matter what.
**I've explained this stroke as well as I could in another response here at Medium. I'm on a mobile so I can't find it nevermind linking, but if you're a 'sinker' and regular strokes just don't work for you and you're on a desktop...