Rip Currents
Swimmers should be wary of rip currents when waves are high, as speeds are more likely to increase with high surf. Rip currents form around structures in the water, as well as in places where sandbars break. They vary in width and the extent to which they can pull a swimmer. There are several ways to identify a rip current, as described by The National Weather Service:
- A channel of churning, choppy water
- An area having a notable difference in water color
- A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
- A break in the incoming wave pattern
For your safety against rip currents and other ocean hazards, you should never swim alone. Also, if there aren’t any lifeguards in the area, you must be extremely cautious. Your safest bet is to always swim where lifeguards are watching. If you find yourself in a rip current, do not waste energy fighting the current. Swim in a direction parallel to the shore so that you can get out of the current. From there, you can swim toward the shore.
If you are unable to swim out of the current, tread water until the current stops. From there, swim parallel to the shore until you are away from the current, and then swim to shore. If you are still not able to swim to shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help, so that you may attract a lifeguard.
Reference
No author. (2005). Rip Current Safety. The National Weather Service. Retrieved June 2, 2009 from http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/overview.shtml