How to Navigate Rip Currents
Wellen Park residents are lucky enough to be as close as 20 minutes away from some of the best beaches in the U.S. such as Manasota Key, Venice beach, and Siesta Key. While many beachgoers have heard of rip currents, many still find themselves unable to identify or, once caught, escape them. CBS states that around 100 people drown due to rip currents each year in the U.S. alone. Being able to spot a rip current may not keep you from ever being caught in one, but you should be able to recognize the warning signs and know what to do should you suddenly find yourself in trouble.
Most rip currents have breaking waves on either side of typically darker, calmer water. The calm, narrow channel in between the waves allows water that has already broken on the shoreline to be pushed out into the open.
Keep in mind that it isn’t always easy to see a rip current from the vantage point of the water or the shoreline. Being aware of the posted red flags and signs on the beach and swimming near the lifeguard station help keep you safe.
This graphic from Volusia County explains what each beach flag color means.
It’s important to know that although a rip current can flow at speeds faster than an Olympic swimmer, it doesn’t pull you under. However, no matter how well you can swim, never swim against a rip current. If you find yourself caught in one, don’t panic. Instead, conserve your energy and float on your back or go in the direction of the current until the force gets weak. It will eventually break. Once the current has lost its pull on you, swim parallel to the shore to avoid heading into the same channel, then head toward the beach at an angle. It may be a long swim, and if you’re too tired, tread water and put your hand up to signal that you need help.
Always remember these three things:
Remain calm
Go with the current
Float until you’re out. The current will break.
To see how rip currents work and how to get out of one, check out these YouTube videos from KSAT 12 and FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
