A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of water flowing rapidly away from the shore, acting like a swift river moving out to sea. These currents form as a large volume of water piles up near the beach from incoming waves and then rushes back to the ocean through the path of least resistance, often a break in a sandbar or near a structure like a jetty. The single greatest danger when caught in this seaward pull is panic, which leads to exhausted swimmers attempting to fight the current directly. Rip currents move quickly, sometimes faster than an Olympic swimmer, so knowing the correct, immediate response is important for survival.
Identifying Rip Currents Before Entering the Water
Observing the water from the shore before swimming can help a person avoid a rip current entirely. One of the clearest visual cues is a channel of churning, noticeably choppy water that extends out beyond the breaking waves. This turbulence is caused by the strong outward flow disrupting the incoming wave pattern.
A swimmer should also look for a difference in the water’s color compared to the surrounding ocean. Rip currents often appear darker or murkier because they pull sand and sediment from the bottom as they flow seaward. You may also notice a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily away from the beach, marking the current’s path.
The most counterintuitive sign is a gap in the incoming waves, which makes the water appear deceptively calm and flat in that area. This break in the wave pattern is the channel the water is using to escape, forming the rip current itself. Recognizing these signs from the beach is the first step in minimizing risk.
The Primary Strategy for Escaping a Rip Current
The first and most important action upon realizing you are caught in a rip current is to remain calm, which conserves energy and allows for clear thinking. A swimmer should never attempt to swim straight back to shore against the powerful flow. Fighting the current will quickly lead to exhaustion, as rip current speeds can be up to eight feet per second.
The correct strategy is to swim parallel to the shoreline, moving across the current rather than fighting it head-on. Rip currents are typically narrow, often between 30 and 100 feet wide, so a lateral swim will quickly move the person out of the strong flow. Keep swimming in this direction until you no longer feel the current’s pull outward.
Once free of the current, the swimmer should then angle their swim back toward the beach, aiming for an area with breaking waves, which indicates shallower water. If a swimmer is unsure which direction is parallel, they can swim toward the nearest area of breaking waves, which marks the edge of the current.
Actions When Exhaustion Sets In
If a swimmer attempts the parallel escape but finds they are not making progress or feel exhaustion setting in, they must immediately transition to passive survival measures. The current will eventually dissipate beyond the sandbar, so the swimmer should stop fighting and simply float or calmly tread water. Floating on the back is an effective way to rest and conserve the remaining energy, as the current will not pull a person underwater.
While floating, the swimmer should keep their airway clear and face the shore, looking for an opportunity to exit the current or signal for help. Once the pull has visibly subsided, the swimmer can begin a gentle swim at an angle away from the current’s path, back toward the shore.
The swimmer should also use this time to attract attention by raising one arm and calling out to people on the beach. This signal is universally understood as a swimmer in distress. If there is a lifeguard on duty, they are trained to respond to this signal and initiate a rescue.
General Water Safety and Prevention
The most effective way to avoid a rip current incident is to practice preventative water safety measures. Always swim at a beach that is actively protected by lifeguards, as they are trained to spot and monitor the movement of rip currents throughout the day. Lifeguards also place warning flags to communicate the current water conditions to the public.
Beachgoers should learn the meaning of the common warning flags and obey them without exception. A yellow flag signifies a medium hazard with moderate surf and currents, meaning inexperienced swimmers should be especially careful. A single red flag indicates a high hazard with strong currents, and a double red flag means the water is closed to the public due to extreme danger.
Avoid swimming alone, even on calm days, and ensure that you possess the necessary swimming proficiency for the ocean environment. Before entering the water, a person should also take a moment to scan the surf zone for the visual cues of a rip current to pick the safest area to swim.