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Home , Beach, Current (stream), Rip current, Shore, Undertow (water waves)

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.

◆ When you arrive at the beach, ask about rip currents and other .

◆ More information about rip currents can be found at the following web sites: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent usla.org/ripcurrents Chris Brewster, Association United States Lifesaving Chris Brewster, A narrow, darker gap between areas of breaking waves is one sign of a rip .

NOAA’s National Weather Facts about rip currents Safety tips Service, National Grant College Program, and the ◆ speeds vary. Average ◆ Know how to swim. United States Lifesaving speeds are 1-2 feet per second, but Association are working to they have been measured as fast ◆ Never swim alone. educate the public on the as 8 feet per second—faster than dangers of rip currents. ◆ an Olympic swimmer! If in doubt, don’t go out. ◆ ◆ Rip currents can be very narrow Swim near a . or more than 50 yards wide.

◆ Sometimes a rip current ends just ® beyond the line of breaking waves; however, others may continue to flow United States Lifesaving hundreds of yards offshore. Association statistics ◆ Rip currents do not pull people under indicate that the chance the —they pull people away of death by NOAA’s National Weather Service from . at a beach protected by Analyze, Forecast, and Support Office ◆ Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called or riptides but these lifeguards is 1 in 18 million. www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent terms are not correct. Only the term rip currents is technically correct.

NOAA PA 201950 ip currents account for more than 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 . Angeles Fire Department Lifeguard Captain Nick Steers, County of Los Rip currents sometimes generate a plume of visible ◆ Rip currents are commonly found on moving away from shore. all surf beaches, including Great beaches. What are clues that a rip current may be present? Why are rip currents dangerous? ◆ A narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water between areas of breaking ◆ Rip currents pull people away waves and . from shore. ◆ A of churning, choppy water. ◆ Rip current speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly ◆ A difference in water color. increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf. ◆ A line of foam, seaweed or debris moving seaward. How do I help someone else? ◆ Rip currents can sweep even the Don’t become a victim while trying strongest swimmer away from shore. What if I’m caught in a rip current? to help someone else! Many people have died trying to rescue rip Rip Current ◆ Relax, rip currents don’t pull you under. current victims. { ◆ Don’t swim against the current. ◆ Get help from a lifeguard. ◆ You may be able to escape by swimming ◆ If a lifeguard is not present, call 9-1-1, out of the current in a direction following then try to direct the victim to swim the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, following the shoreline to escape. then at an angle toward the beach. ◆ If possible, throw the rip current victim

◆ You may be able to escape by floating or something that floats. Courtesy of Discovery Communications

Dr. Tom Herrington, Stevens Institute of Technology Herrington, Stevens Institute of Tom Dr. treading water if the current circulates ◆ Never enter the water without a flotation A lifeguard rescues a swimmer caught in a rip current. Rip currents often form near coastal structures. back toward shore. device. ◆ If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance. RIP CURRENTS BREAK THE GRIP OF THE RIP RIP CURRENTS BREAK THE GRIP OF THE RIP RIP CURRENTS BREAK THE GRIP OF THE RIP