Rip Current Safety Practices
These Strong Horizontal Currents Can Endanger Coastal Swimmers
Jan 7, 2008
Rip currents are strong, focused streams of water flowing away from a beach. Normally they flow from the beach through the active surf zone to just past the last line of breaking waves. Rips can be found at any shore that experiences breaking waves. Most rip currents are relatively mild, but a few form that can reach speeds of 2.5 meters (8 feet) per second, outperforming even the best swimmer. Approximately 100 people die from rip current encounters each year in the United States and incidents involving rips make up an estimated 80% of the rescues performed by lifeguards.
Rip Current Formation - As waves move from deeper to more shallow water, they will crest and break as the shoreline approaches. Since the shoreline is not perfectly uniform in shape, some parts of the shore will experience stronger surf that forms a circulation cell. These are cells force water back offshore forming rip currents. Rip currents are horizontal; they don't pull swimmers under the water surface, by pull them out to sea. Common locations for rip currents are near breaks in sand bars and man-made structures like jetties, piers, and groins.
Rip Current Protection - There are many things that can be done to help prevent injury or death from being caused by a rip current:
- Learn to swim and never swim alone
- Swim at beaches protected by lifeguards and swim near their stations
- Follow instructions and guidance provided by lifeguards
- Check the latest surf zone forecast prior to making a trip to the beach
- Ask lifeguards on-duty about current surf zone conditions
- Don't try to swim to someone else caught in a rip current. Call 9-1-1 or a lifeguard
- Throw a flotation device to the victim if possible
Rip Current Identification - Rips can be identified by these signs:
- An out flowing channel of choppy, rough water
- A plume of water that is noticeably different in color
- Debris, foam or sea weed moving in a stream offshore
- Breaks in the pattern of incoming waves
- Polarized glasses can sometimes make it easier to see rip currents
Rip Current Emergency Response - If you are caught in a rip current, here are some actions to take:
- Remain calm and don't fight the rip current
- Try to escape by swimming in a direction that follows the shoreline
- Once free, swim at an angle to the rip current towards the shore
- If escape isn't possible, float or trend water until the rip current weakens and then try to swim at an angle towards the shore
- If at any time a rip current makes you think that you be unable to return to the shore safely, call for help immediately
The National Weather Service, United States Lifesaving Association, and Delaware Sea Grant Program are working together to research rip currents and increase public awareness of their dangers. As coastal populations increase, the risk associated with these strong currents will continue to increase as well.
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