RIP CURRENTS: STAYING SAFE IN THE OCEAN

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 RIP CURRENTS: STAYING SAFE IN THE OCEAN




Rip currents—sometimes called riptides—are among the most dangerous threats at the beach. But knowing how to spot them, avoid them, and survive if you’re caught can make all the difference. Here’s what the science says, and what you need to know before you hit the water.

How to Avoid Rip Currents

Your best defense is to swim at a beach with lifeguards and stick between the safety flags. These flagged zones are checked for hazards, and lifeguards are on hand in case of an emergency (Bradstreet & Brander, 2014).

Keep an eye out for signs of rip currents: water that looks darker or deeper than the areas around it, spots where waves aren’t breaking, or any visible stream of water heading away from the shore. These are classic signals of a rip current (Leatherman, 2012).

A lot of drowning incidents happen simply because people don’t realize the danger or can’t spot a rip current. That’s why paying attention to posted warnings and learning what to look for is so important (Woods et al., 2022).

What to Do if You’re Caught in a Rip Current

If you feel yourself being pulled out to sea, don’t panic. Rip currents can move fast, but they won’t drag you under for long (Miloshis & Stephenson, 2011).

Float or tread water to save your energy. Most fatalities occur because swimmers panic, tire out, and are unable to stay afloat (Bradstreet & Brander, 2014).

The standard advice, backed by research, is to swim parallel to the shoreline to avoid the narrow current. Don’t try to swim straight back to the beach against the flow; you’ll just wear yourself out (McCarroll et al., 2014).

If you’re too tired or the water’s too rough to swim parallel, focus on floating and signaling for help. Raise your arm to get the attention of lifeguards or other beachgoers (Brander et al., 2011).

For weak or non-swimmers, the priority is to keep your head above water and signal for help, rather than struggle against the current (Drozdzewski et al., 2015).

Key Takeaways

  • Swim at patrolled beaches and stay between the flags.

  • Learn to spot rip currents before you get in the water.

  • If you’re caught, float and don’t panic. Try to swim parallel to shore if you can.

  • If escape isn’t possible, float and signal for help.

  • Education and awareness save lives.

These recommendations are based on a range of peer-reviewed studies on rip current safety (Bradstreet & Brander, 2014; Miloshis & Stephenson, 2011; McCarroll et al., 2014). If you’d like more detail or want visual guides for spotting rip currents, just ask—I’m happy to help you stay safe.

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