Rip Currents - Beware and Be Safe

As summer gets into full swing and folks head out to the country’s beaches, it’s always a good time to remind everyone to keep a look out for rip currents. These currents are formed by the interaction of waves and the ocean bottom, and create a current which flows quickly away from the beach. So far this year, 28 swimmers have drowned as a result of rip currents, which are by far the greatest cause of death in the surf zones at U.S. beaches, according to the National Weather Service.

When you go to the beach, it’s important to know how to spot and survive being caught in a rip current. Be on the lookout for these currents, which can be spotted in areas where waves aren’t breaking or foam is being carried offshore. And if you are caught in a rip current, “Flip, Float, and Follow” – Flip onto your back, Float to keep your head above water, calm down, and conserve energy, and Follow the safest path to safety, swim parallel to the shore or wave to a lifeguard and keep floating.

It’s always a good idea to ask the lifeguards at the beach what conditions are like before you swim. You can also check the National Weather Service’s Beach and Rip Current Forecasts. Let’s all be safe at the beach this summer! - Beth Sciaudone, DTC Civil Water Resources & Environmental Instructor

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