Coastal shoreline areas, the natural playground for many people, are riddled with rip currents. The majority of the time rip currents are not strong enough to wash a person out to sea. However, when certain conditions come together, they can sweep even a strong swimmer out pass the safe swimming area.
Rip Current Formation
Rip currents develop due to a combination of water level, shoreline, waves and currents. Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from the shore. After a wave breaks on shore, the water will rush back to the ocean through a channel perpendicular to the shore line. This channel of water is called a rip current. Although rip currents are always present it is during a hurricane or tropical storm when stronger winds and larger waves can produce conditions ripe for forming strong rip currents.
Identifying Rip Currents
Identifying rip currents can be difficult. Look for a channel of churning or chopping water or an area where the water is a different color. Typically a line of foam, seaweed or other debris can be seen heading out to sea. It is important to monitor the surf for conditions. Dangerous rip currents may exist with no visible indications from the shore. There is a good description (with pictures) and an easy to understand section on the science behind rip currents at PowerfulStorms website.
How to Escape a Rip Current
Rip currents do not pull people under the water. Instead they pull people away from the shore line. Drowning takes place when people panic and are unable to stay afloat. If you are caught up in a rip current remain calm and don’t fight the current. According to SurferWatch website, most deaths are the result of exhaustion from struggling against the current and then drowning. Instead, tread water or float until you are able to swim out to the side of the current and then swim to shore. Do not attempt to swim towards the shore while in the current. If you cannot escape the rip current then signal for help by calling out or waving your arms. Calmly float or tread water to save your energy until help arrives.
Beach Warning Flags
Beaches post colored flags to inform vacationers of surf conditions. Before heading out to the surf know the risks. A double-red flag indicates the beach is closed. A single red flag means the water is a high hazard area with strong current and surf conditions. A yellow flag indicates medium hazard with moderate current and surf conditions. A green flag means calm waters. A purple or blue flag will typically fly with a yellow or green flag to indicate dangerous marine life is present. This could be range from jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war to sharks. Caution should always be used when entering surf of any condition.
Resources:
Rip Currents, Rip Tides and Undertows, www.PowerfulStorms.com, September, 2011
Rip Currents Cause Deaths of Two Boogie Boarders, www.SurferWatch.com, September, 2011
Rip Current Safety, NOAA.GOV
Karren Bennett - Karren Bennett is a Texan at heart who loves to write. In addition to writing about anything and everything, she dabbles in fitness, ...
