As the hot summer days lure us to sandy beaches and refreshing waters, it’s important to remain aware of the hidden dangers posed by rip currents.
These strong, fast-moving channels of water can quickly pull even the most skilled swimmers far from the safety of the shore. The recent incident involving Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was swept away by a rip current while swimming off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, serves as a tragic but important reminder of the ocean’s unpredictability.
This summer, the National Weather Service, which tracks surf-related fatalities across the country, reports that at least three dozen people in the United States have died in ocean incidents, primarily due to rip currents. They say that as the summer season goes on, the number of rescue attempts and unfortunate incidents will likely rise.
According to The New York Times, local officials reported that Mr. Warner was carried away by strong currents at a beach in Costa Rica where there was no lifeguard present. Earlier in July, Chase Childers, a former minor league baseball player, tragically died while trying to rescue swimmers caught in a rip current in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, authorities said. In Australia, statistics from 2011 to 2021 show that an average of 26 people drown each year due to rip currents.
Drownings can also happen in other bodies of water. In the Great Lakes area, rip currents led to an average of 50 drownings per year from 2010 to 2017, Chris Houser, the dean of science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, told The Times.
What are some signs that rip currents may be present?
Rip currents happen when water moves away from the beach through a narrow path created by an underwater feature or a sandbar. They are easier to spot from a higher place, like a beach access point, but harder to see when you are closer to the water.
From the shore, they may look calm on the surface, appearing as a strip of water that flows out from the beach between the waves. This can be misleading, as the strong current pulling water away from the shore can drag a swimmer far out into the ocean. It may also look like a darker patch of water stretching away from the beach or a clear flow moving offshore.
Rip currents are forceful and extremely fast, moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, which is quicker than an Olympic swimmer. However, drownings can occur even in much weaker currents, according to Gregory Dusek, a senior scientist with the Ocean Service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“It doesn’t have to be moving that fast to cause a problem,” Dusek said in a recent interview. “It just needs to be pulling you enough to get you from where you can touch to where you can’t.”
Dusek cautioned that dangerous currents can happen at any time and in any weather, but they are especially risky when the waves are two to three feet tall. He also mentioned that the danger increases in late summer, when tropical storms and hurricanes can create strong waves, even when the sky is clear and sunny.
“You can have a storm far away driving pretty large waves, and you can have strong rip currents where you are, even when the weather seems fine,” he said.
Research surf reports for your beach.
To check the surf forecast for your beach, experts say that you can visit websites such as Surfline, Surf-forecast.com or Surf Captain. These sites offer detailed information on wave height, swell direction and period, wind conditions and tides. You can also download apps like Surfline or WindGuru for easy access while you’re out. It’s a good idea to check different sources and compare the information with what you already know about the beach.
Read all signs and stay away from swimming close to piers.
The NOAA recommends that you should swim at beaches where lifeguards are present. Before getting in the water, ask the lifeguards about the conditions. Always follow their instructions and pay attention to any signs posted around the beach. Avoid swimming alone or within 100 feet of piers and jetties, as rip currents are common in those areas.
For families with children, it’s best to swim near a lifeguard if possible. It’s also a good idea for kids to take something that floats with them into the water, like a boogie board, surfboard, or lifejacket, which can help less experienced swimmers stay safe in a rip current.
Don’t try to fight against the rip current.
Dusek explains that many people panic when caught in a rip current, which can cause them to use up energy and make poor choices. If you find yourself in one, it’s important to stay calm and assess your situation.
He emphasizes that it is important to remember that a rip current won’t pull you under. However, he also warned that each rip current behaves differently, so you may need to use various techniques depending on the water’s movement and your swimming abilities.
At times, the rip current could actually carry you back to shore. If this occurs, simply float.
Rip currents are typically narrow, so it’s best to swim to the side rather than directly against the current.
Strong swimmers should swim parallel to the shore or head toward the breaking waves and then at an angle towards the beach, he suggested.
“If you don’t think you can do that, or you feel like you’re swimming anywhere in particular, you want to just float and wave your hands and call for help,” Dusek says.
Additionally, he mentioned that it’s critical to keep your head above water and not wear yourself out. This way, you’ll have time for a lifeguard to reach you or for someone on the beach to call 911.
To help with this, you can use the “flip, float, follow” method. This means you should flip onto your back to float and let the current carry you past the breaking waves or back to the shore.
How to assist someone caught in a current.
Many drownings caused by rip currents happen when individuals try to help others by going into the dangerous water themselves. If you spot someone caught in a rip current, the safest way to help them is to tell them to swim parallel to the shore or to float on their back. Then, quickly alert a lifeguard. If no lifeguard is present, call 911.
Even if the person gets away from the current, you should still call for medical assistance. They may need it, according to Dusek.
He also suggests that if swimmers are being pulled toward the shore by the current, you should give them something to hold onto that floats, like a boogie board or a cooler. If you feel you need to go into the water to help – and you’re a strong swimmer – it’s crucial to take a flotation device with you.
The Final Takeaway
While the allure of the beach is undeniable, it’s vital to arm ourselves with knowledge about rip currents, including how to identify them and what to do if caught in one.
Being informed can make all the difference between a joyful day and a perilous situation. So, as we continue to enjoy our fun in the sun and surf this summer, let’s remember to prioritize safety so our beach outings remain memorable for all the right reasons.
