Beware of Rip Currents
Published on August 21, 2024
By Tom Doyle
Staff Officer - Public Affairs United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
This summer, news outlets including CBS News reported 6 Rip-Current Deaths in Florida Over a Two Day Span.
Rip currents are complex, can be dangerous, powerful, fast moving and they can occur at any beach which has breaking waves. Rip currents need breaking waves to form and there are many different kinds of rip currents. Don't place yourself in harm’s way. Lack of skills to identify rip currents is a major safety concern. Knowledge is power that can help you take control of the situation to make the best decisions for your safety. When people can recognize the signs of an operating rip current they can avoid that area in the water.
Know what to do if you see someone who is caught in a rip current. The best thing you can do for them is to throw them some form of flotation for them to hold onto and keep them afloat, while you inform a lifeguard and get help.
Know what to do if you find yourself caught in a rip current - Do Not try to swim against the flow of a rip current. Doing so will exhaust your energy - Not a survival option. The best way you can be safe is to be calm, conserve your energy by floating with the flow of the current and know it will eventually slow down and stop flowing. Signal Wave Your Arm While Calling for Help and Think to assess the situation, your surroundings and what your best options may be. If you have enough energy and you feel able, your best option may be to swim to either side and out of the rip current by swimming parallel to the land. (Refer to the Break the Grip of the Rip image posted below) Once you are out of the rip current, then swim toward the shore (land), recognizing that you could get caught in another rip current along the way. Be aware that rip currents can carry you quite a far distance away from the shore in a relatively short period of time. Your Situational Awareness Is Important!
Panic and fatigue from trying to fight a rip are the cause of tragedy. Your body may have a panic response, because it can be a scary experience. Fear is Not Your Friend in A Rip Current. You can be caught in a rip current and not realize it until you find yourself being pulled away from the beach, while struggling to swim causes you fatigue and you're not getting any closer to the shore. If this happens to you, try not to panic, just float and conserve your energy. The best approach to take to keep you safe, is one which eliminates panic. Even the very fit and best of swimmers can find themselves in trouble, if panic and fatigue take control.
