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Rip Current Safety
July 15, 2021 at 10:56 AM EDT
By WeatherBug's Ali Husain
Every year, over 100 people lose their life because of rip currents in the U.S. — deaths that could be avoided with a bit of awareness.
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along coastlines, including the East, Gulf and West coasts along with the shores of the Great Lakes. Rip currents drag you out to sea but will not pull you under. Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.
Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore, which puts themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue. Since the ocean is much more powerful than you, you will not be able to directly fight the current. Instead, you need to swim parallel to shore to escape the current. If you are unable to escape, float or tread water, and try to yell or wave for assistance from someone on shore, preferably a lifeguard. The chances of death at a beach with a lifeguard is 1 in 18 million, so be sure to choose to swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty.
Do not just blindly rush into the water. Be sure to check a local beach forecast or talk to the lifeguard on duty beforehand to know what dangers are around. Do not assume that great weather means a safe beach — rip currents often form on calm, sunny days.
Rip currents are difficult to predict, especially in the U.S. The irregular coastlines make for a tough forecast, and computer models are actively being crafted to help assemble accurate rip current predictions. Knowing these tips will make your chances of surviving rip currents higher.
Source: NWS, NOAA
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Story Image: Rip Currents: Know Your Options
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along coastlines, including the East, Gulf and West coasts along with the shores of the Great Lakes. Rip currents drag you out to sea but will not pull you under. Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.
Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore, which puts themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue. Since the ocean is much more powerful than you, you will not be able to directly fight the current. Instead, you need to swim parallel to shore to escape the current. If you are unable to escape, float or tread water, and try to yell or wave for assistance from someone on shore, preferably a lifeguard. The chances of death at a beach with a lifeguard is 1 in 18 million, so be sure to choose to swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty.
Do not just blindly rush into the water. Be sure to check a local beach forecast or talk to the lifeguard on duty beforehand to know what dangers are around. Do not assume that great weather means a safe beach — rip currents often form on calm, sunny days.
Rip currents are difficult to predict, especially in the U.S. The irregular coastlines make for a tough forecast, and computer models are actively being crafted to help assemble accurate rip current predictions. Knowing these tips will make your chances of surviving rip currents higher.
Source: NWS, NOAA
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Story Image: Rip Currents: Know Your Options