Rip currents are
powerful currents of water moving
away from shore. On average, more
people die every year from rip currents
than from shark attacks, tornadoes,
lightning or hurricanes. According
to the United States Lifesaving Association,
80 percent of surf beach rescues are
attributed to rip currents, and more
than 100 people die annually from
drowning when they are unable to escape
a rip current.
Rip currents can
attain speeds as high as 8 feet per
second. This is faster than an Olympic
swimmer can sprint! Some rip currents
last for a few hours; others are permanent.
Rip currents range from 50 to 100
feet or more in width. They can extend
up to 1000 feet offshore.
If caught
in a rip current:
•
Remain calm to
conserve energy and think clearly.
•
Never fight against the current.
•
Think of it like a treadmill
that cannot be turned off, which
you need to step to the side
of.
•
Swim out of the current in
a direction following the shoreline.
When out of the current, swim
at an angle--away from the current--towards
shore.
•
If you are unable to swim
out of the rip current, float
or calmly tread water. When
out of the current, swim towards
shore.
•
If you are still unable to
reach shore, draw attention
to yourself by waving your arm
and yelling for help.
