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Where can I get more information about rip currents? ◆ Before you leave for the , check the latest National Weather Service forecast for local beach conditions. Many offices issue a Surf Zone Forecast. ◆ When you arrive at the beach, ask on- duty lifeguards about rip currents and any other hazards that may be present. ◆ More information about rip currents can be found at the following web sites: www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov www.usla.org Chris Brewster, United States Lifesaving Association United States Lifesaving Chris Brewster, A break in the incoming wave pattern is one sign of a rip . NOAA’s National Weather Service, National Grant Facts about rip currents Safety tips College Program, and the United States Lifesaving ◆ speeds vary. Average ◆ Know how to swim. Association are working to speeds are 1-2 feet per second, but ◆ Never swim alone. educate the public on the they have been measured as fast dangers of rip currents. as 8 feet per second—faster than ◆ For maximum safety, swim an Olympic swimmer! near a lifeguard. ◆ Rip currents can be very narrow ◆ Obey all instructions and orders or more than 50 yards wide. from lifeguards. ◆ Sometimes rip currents end just ◆ Be cautious at all times. beyond the line of breaking waves; ◆ If in doubt, don’t go out! however, they may continue to pull hundreds of yards offshore. ◆ Rip currents do not pull people under the water—they pull people away United States Lifesaving Association from . statistics indicate that the chance ◆ Rip currents are not “” or of death by drowning at a beach “riptides.” These improper terms protected by lifeguards is 1 in 18 NOAA’s National Weather Service should not be used to describe them. Office of Climate, Water, million. and Weather Services 301 713-1677 ext. 124

NOAA PA 200455 ® ip currents account for 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. What are rip currents? ◆ Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf . ◆ Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as and piers. ◆ Rip currents are quite common and can Angeles Fire Department Lifeguard Captain Nick Steers, County of Los be found on many surf beaches every Rip currents often generate a plume of sediment day, including Great Lakes beaches. moving away from shore. Why are rip currents dangerous? What are some clues that a rip current ◆ Rip currents pull people away may be present? from shore. ◆ A of churning, choppy water. ◆ Rip current speeds can vary from ◆ A difference in water color. moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to ◆ A line of foam, seaweed or debris anyone entering the surf. moving seaward. ◆ ◆ Rip currents can sweep even the A break in the incoming wave pattern. Michigan Sea Grant Dave Brenner, strongest swimmer out to sea. What if I’m caught in a rip current? ◆ Stay calm. ◆ Don’t fight the current. How do I help someone else? ◆ Escape the current by swimming in a Don’t become a victim while trying direction following the shoreline. When to help someone else! free of the current, swim at an angle— Many people have died in efforts to away from the current—toward shore. rescue rip current victims. ◆ ◆ If you are unable to escape by Get help from a lifeguard. swimming, float or tread water. When ◆ If a lifeguard is not present, yell Dr. Tom Herrington, Stevens Institute of Technology Herrington, Stevens Institute of Tom Dr. the current weakens, swim at an angle instructions on how to escape. Rip currents often form near coastal structures. away from the current toward shore. ◆ If possible, throw the rip current ◆ If at any time you feel you will be victim something that floats. unable to reach shore, draw attention ◆ Call 9-1-1 for further assistance.

to yourself: face the shore, call or Courtesy of Discovery Communications wave for help. A lifeguard rescues a swimmer caught in a rip current.

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