Rip current

Rip current warning signs at Mission Beach

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Ripcurrent viewed sideway

Rip current warning signs

Danger courant baines

Rip current is a strong, localized, and rather narrow current of water. Rip currents are especially powerful near the surface of the ocean and can move directly away from the shore, cutting through the lines of breaking waves like a river flowing out to sea. They typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers. Rip currents are hazardous to swimmers who get caught in them because they can drag swimmers away from the shore quickly and exhaust them as they struggle to swim against the current.

Formation

Rip currents form when waves break strongly in some locations and weaker in others. This can cause a temporary buildup of water, which seeks the path of least resistance to flow back to the sea. If there is a gap in the nearshore sandbar or an area where the wave breaking is less intense, the trapped water will flow rapidly back to sea through that gap, creating a rip current.

Identification

Rip currents can be identified by a combination of several indicators:

• A noticeable break in the pattern of the incoming waves.
• A channel of churning, choppy water.
• A difference in water color, often indicating deeper water.
• A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward.
• A gap in the wave pattern or a place where waves are not breaking as much.

Safety and Rescue

Understanding how to identify and react if caught in a rip current can significantly increase the chances of a safe return to shore:

• Do not panic. Panicking can lead to exhaustion.
• Do not try to swim directly against the rip current, as it can exhaust even the strongest swimmer.
• Swim parallel to the shore to escape the narrow current, then swim back to shore at an angle away from the current.
• If unable to swim out of the rip current, float or tread water calmly until the current dissipates, then swim back to shore or signal for help.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

• Swimming at beaches with lifeguards.
• Paying attention to beach safety flags and signs.
• Learning how to spot rip currents and avoiding swimming near them.
• Never swimming alone.

Impact

Rip currents are responsible for more than 100 deaths in the United States each year. They are more deadly than tornadoes, lightning, or shark attacks on an annual basis. Educating the public about rip currents and their hazards is crucial in reducing the number of rip current-related incidents.