After current events, we again would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of the present danger of rip currents in our waters and the proper way to approach a rip current should it pull you out to sea.
1. If you are in the water, there is a always a possibility of rip currents along with other natural threats.
2. Bad weather brings higher risks of rough waters above and below the water line.
3. Keeping you feet firmly on the sand is the best way to prevent being pulled out by light rip currents.
4. If a rip current pulls you out, let it take you. Most drownings occur because the swimmer is exhausted after fighting the rip current and can’t swim back to shore. The important thing is to keep you head above water, not to fight the rip current.
5. To get out of the rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline. Rip currents are typically fairly narrow. Swim parallel until you are free and away from the rip current. Once free, continue swimming diagonally towards shore and away from the current.
6. Call for HELP if you are a weak swim.
7. If you need a break or can’t swim out of the current, just float on your back or tread water. When it comes to rip currents, your first objective should be to CONSERVE YOU ENERGY.
8. Make sure you explain the danger of rip currents and how to deal with them to your children. As well as keeping a close eye on them, they need to know and understand how to safely react to a rip current.
9. MYTH BUSTED: Rip currents pull you out, NOT down. The goal is to stay calm and keep your head above water! Save your energy for the swim out then back to shore once the rip current slows down.
RIP CURRENT FACTS:
- 100 people die due to rip currents in the US each year
- 80% of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents
- Rip currents are usually on most surf beaches, but they are typically relatively slow. As the surf increases, however, so do the rip current speeds.
- Rip currents typically form around low spots in the sand or at breaks in the sandbar. Rip ccurrents are also common at groins (Upham Beach), jetties (North end of Treasure Island near the John’s Pass bridge, adjactent to Blind Pass inlet and South end of Pass-a-Grille), and piers. The rip currents are usually pretty narrow and stop just beyond the line of breaking waves, but can extend hundreds of yards across the beach or out to sea.
- NOAA suggest you look for these clues when trying to spot rip currents on your beach:
- A channel of churning, choppy water
- An area having a notable difference in water color
- A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
- A break in the incoming wave pattern
Posted: July 8, 2013
Updated: June 11, 2020