Rip Currents: The Hidden Danger of the Beach

Why you should be concerned about rip currents when you visit the beach.

By Virgil Dugo
Editor: Cody George

Do you know the main cause for rescues for ocean lifeguards? Rip currents. Rip currents can account for the majority of rescues performed by ocean lifeguards, up to 80% as reported by the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA). What makes rip currents so deadly?

Rip currents can form anywhere where waves are breaking against the shore. This makes it important to know the warning signs of rip currents. As waves move towards the shore, they pull water with them. After the wave breaks, the water needs to find a way to return to the ocean, and a powerful suction force is created as the water is literally “ripped” back into the ocean. When trying to identify a rip current, look for discolored waters or a line of water that may be moving seaward.

Never try to out swim a rip current! Rip currents can move faster than any swimmer can swim so it will tire you out quickly. Also, rip currents can be narrow or large depending on the area, from a few feet to a few hundred yards. Because of this, rip currents can form in a variety of different surf conditions, which can make them very deadly.

However, what impacts do lifeguards make with rip currents? The United States Lifesaving Association statistics indicate that the chance of death by drowning at a beach
protected by lifeguards is 1 in 18 million (USLA, NOAA).

So remember, always swim at a beach with a lifeguard, and take a moment to thank your local lifeguard after their shift because, Lifeguards Save Lives (Check out this cool bumper sticker if you want to support lifeguards!)

For more information, please check out the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Check out these links:
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/overview.shtml
http://www.usla.org/?page=RIPCURRENTS
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/brochures/rip_brochure_final051309.pdf
http://ripcurrents.noaa.gov/real_life.shtml