Rip currents are produced by water draining from the beach and back out to sea. Waves come in to the beach, water gets trapped behind sand bars and funnels out through a narrow opening. At times, it drains at a tremendous, deceptive speed.
The funneled water can move up to 8 feet per second, faster than any of us can possibly swim. Ranging in size from just a few feet to a hundred yards, the pull can take a person more than 100 yards from shore.
Detecting an Ocean Rip Current
The best way to detect rip currents is to ask lifeguards or look for rip current signs on the beach. You can also refer to rip current advisories developed by theNational Weather Service. Otherwise, here are some observable signs of an ocean rip current:
- An area of water through a surf zone that is a different color than the surrounding water.
- A break in the incoming pattern of waves.
- Seaweed or debris moving out through the surf zone.
- Isolated turbulent and choppy water in the surf zone.
If Caught in a Rip Current…
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, stay calm and relax. You will not win a fight with the ocean. If you decide to swim into the tide, you will tire and drown. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline or relax and let it carry you out past the breakers until it slacks. Then, swim at an angle to the shoreline until you reach the shore of encounter help.
Avoiding Injury from Rip Currents
- Swim on guarded beaches. The U.S. Lifesaving Association estimates the chance of drowning on a guarded beach is 1 in 18 million.
- Talk to the lifeguards about local hazards before getting in the water.
- If you’re not comfortable having rough water over your head, stay out.
- Never swim alone.
- There is nothing wrong with making your young children wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets to play in the surf. That doesn’t mean you leave them alone, but it will make them safer.
- Discuss rip currents and how to deal with them with your children. Grab some ideas for discussing rip currents or let them learn about rip currents on their own.
