Rip
currents are powerful
currents of water moving
away from shore. On average,
more people die every
year from rip currents
than from shark attacks,
tornadoes, lightning or
hurricanes. According
to the United States Lifesaving
Association, 80 percent
of surf beach rescues
are attributed to rip
currents, and more than
100 people die annually
from drowning when they
are unable to escape a
rip current.
Rip currents
can attain speeds as high
as 8 feet per second.
This is faster than an
Olympic swimmer can sprint!
Some rip currents last
for a few hours; others
are permanent. Rip currents
range from 50 to 100 feet
or more in width. They
can extend up to 1000
feet offshore.
If
caught in
a rip current:
•
Remain
calm to conserve
energy and
think clearly.
•
Never fight
against the
current.
•
Think of
it like a
treadmill
that cannot
be turned
off, which
you need to
step to the
side of.
•
Swim out
of the current
in a direction
following
the shoreline.
When out of
the current,
swim at an
angle--away
from the current--towards
shore.
•
If you
are unable
to swim out
of the rip
current, float
or calmly
tread water.
When out of
the current,
swim towards
shore.
•
If you
are still
unable to
reach shore,
draw attention
to yourself
by waving
your arm and
yelling for
help.
Nags
Head, NC
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