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.
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