Don’t Let Rip Currents Rip You Away!

National Rip Current Awareness Week

First of all, what is a rip current and why is it important to talk about it? A rip current is an undertow or a powerful current that is channeled away from beach. On average, they cause 46 deaths per year in the US. That is a crazy statistic. So let’s “dive in” for a moment and discover what to look out for and how to handle ourselves if we ever do get pulled out to sea.

Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves. They are especially dangerous for weak swimmers or people who don’t really swim and are just out enjoying the cool blue deep. Stay at least 100 ft away from piers and jetties as there often are permanent rip currents in those places. Also keep in mind that there are more risks of them during storm or hurricane season.

If the unthinkable happens and you get caught, follow these steps:

• Stay calm (conserve energy and think clearly).
• Don’t fight it but do try to swim out of it parallel to the shoreline.
• Once out of the rip current, swim at an angle toward the shore.
• If unable to get out, float or tread water, then swim out as able.
• Wave and yell if unable to reach the shore.

So let’s all play a part in spreading the word. Wear a BLUE wrist band or t-shirt. Share this information on social media. It is simply not worth going to the beach for vacation with the family and losing a loved one just because it may not seem like a big deal. It never happens to us. Until it does.

Let’s Keep Swimmers Safe!!!