Don't Panic: What to Do If a Rip Current Pulls You Out to Sea
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
SAN DIEGO — For someone being pulled out to sea by a rip current, the phrase 'don't panic' can be hard to follow, even though it's exactly what they should do. Lifeguards say that not only should you relax, but you should also lie on your back and float to get out of danger. Rip currents are one of the biggest hazards along coastlines and are responsible for most beach rescues each year. Approximately 100 people drown annually due to these currents along U.S. beaches, according to the United States Lifesaving Association, a lifeguard organization. More than 80% of annual beach rescues involve rip currents. So far this year, at least 21 people have died from rip currents in U.S. waters, according to the National Weather Service. Here are some important things to know about these currents: Rip currents can be hard to detect. They are narrow columns of water that flow quickly away from the beach. They do not pull swimmers underwater, but they can carry them a considerable distance from shore. 'A rip current is like a river pulling you out to sea,' explained Charlie Knight, a lieutenant with San Diego Lifeguard Services. 'So when the waves come to the beach, the water needs to go somewhere. These little exit channels, which we call rip currents, are needed to return all that water to the ocean.' Low points along the beach or areas near jetties or piers are often where rip currents form. They can be linked to stormy weather, but sometimes occur on sunny days. They can be difficult to detect because the surface water often appears calm. The current can flow at speeds of up to 3.2 meters (8 feet) per second, faster than even a good swimmer can swim, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is almost impossible to fight against rip currents. The most common advice from beach rescue teams and meteorologists is to 'lie on your back, float, and go with it.' Lying on your back makes it easier to stay calm, conserve energy, and keep airways clear while the swimmer is affected by the rip current. It is nearly impossible to swim directly against the current. Many swimmers caught in one become exhausted trying to return to the beach, lifeguards note. 'People tend to panic when they can't get back to the beach, and that's when we have problems,' Knight warned. 'So if you get caught in a rip current, the most important thing is not to panic, stay calm, lie on your back, float, and let the rip current take you out.' Once the current dissipates, it may leave the swimmer in deeper water. Lifeguards recommend raising an arm to signal for help. Be aware of flags warning about rip current conditions. Different colored flags are used to alert beachgoers about various dangers. Red means high danger, yellow indicates a moderate threat, and green signals low danger. There is also purple for dangerous marine life, such as jellyfish, and double red when a beach is closed for any reason. The National Weather Service posts rip current risk on its websites along the coasts and has developed a computer model that can predict when conditions might lead to their formation—up to six days in advance—for the East and Gulf coasts, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Guam. If possible, it's best to swim near a lifeguard station. What to do when you see a swimmer in a rip current: Attempting to rescue someone caught in a rip current can be dangerous, authorities warn. Often, people trying to perform the rescue can get into trouble themselves. It’s best to look for a lifeguard, if available, or call 911 if you see a swimmer in distress.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
