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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: |
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• |
Remain calm to conserve
energy and think clearly. |
| •
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Never fight against the current.
|
| •
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Think of it like a treadmill that
cannot be turned off, which you need
to step to the side of. |
| •
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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. |
| •
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If you are unable to swim out of
the rip current, float or calmly tread
water. When out of the current, swim
towards shore. |
| •
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If you are still unable to reach
shore, draw attention to yourself
by waving your arm and yelling for
help. |
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More Information:
National
Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Rip Currents - Break The Grip of The
Rip!™ |
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