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.
The provided information on this website
has been thoroughly checked and is updated regularly. Still no guarantee
can be given, that all information at every time is complete, correct
and displayed the in most recent version.
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