Here's what to do if you're caught in a rip current
Rip currents, sometimes mistakenly called riptides or undertow, are powerful, narrow channels of water that flow away from the beach and often extend through the breaker zone where waves form, according to the National Weather Service.
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Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars and near structures, such as jetties and piers. They are commonly found on all surf beaches or any beach with breaking waves, including Great Lakes beaches.
The speed of the outbound currents can exceed 6 miles per hour, which is faster than some Olympic swimmers, according to weather officials.
How to spot a rip current
Rip currents can be difficult to identify, especially from ground level and especially on days when the surf is extremely rough.
They can emerge on sunny or overcast days, and can quickly sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Storms brewing far out at sea can cause dangerous rip currents to be created along the shore, where conditions can be tranquil.
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'Unlike large crashing waves, you probably won't notice that you're in a rip current until you're in the middle of it,' the National Weather Service says.
So here are some clues on spotting them:
• Water in rip currents will often appear darker and calmer than the rest of the water surrounding it.
• Rip currents can be very narrow or more than 100 yards wide.
• Because the currents carry sand and sometimes seaweed and other debris away from the beach with them, rip currents can appear murky or dirty compared with the water around it.
• A line of sea foam, seaweed, or debris may also extend farther out into the surf in a rip current.
• Areas where waves do not break can also signal a rip current.
Look for a break in the incoming wave pattern.
Wendy Carey/Delaware Sea Grant/NOAA
Look for an area having a notable difference in water color.
Wendy Carey/Delaware Sea Grant/NOAA
What to do if you're caught in a rip current
• Swimmers should never try to fight a rip current, experts say. It is very difficult to outswim one. Most rip current fatalities occur because the victim becomes exhausted trying to swim against the current.
Rather, swim out of the current parallel to the shoreline before turning back, swimming at an angle toward the shore. Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of, according to the NWS.
How to navigate a rip current should you find yourself caught in one.
Boston Globe
• Swimming toward where there is white water from breaking waves is also recommended, because that usually means there is a sandbar nearby.
• If you are unable to swim out of the current or are tired, you might be able to escape by floating or treading water, then swim toward shore.
• If that does not work or if you are feeling too tired and need help, draw attention to yourself by yelling and waving your arms for assistance.
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Should I help someone in distress in the water?
Experts say do not attempt to save someone yourself without first having a flotation device with you. Many people have died trying to rescue rip current victims. If you don't have a flotation device, you can always try to reach out to them, or throw something to them, or row out to them in a boat. Remember the saying, 'Reach, throw, row, but never go.'
Or, bring the situation to the attention of a lifeguard right away. If a lifeguard is not present, call 911, then try to direct the person to swim following the shoreline to escape.
Preferably, don't reach out to them with your hand. Throw objects their way. If no life jacket is available, grab something like a towel, shirt, cooler, or an inflatable ball.
'Never go [in the water to save someone] unless you are trained in life-saving techniques because they will most likely take you down,' said B.J. Fisher, a trained lifeguard of nearly 55 years and director of health and safety at the
Material from previous Globe stories was used in this report.
Marianne Mizera can be reached at
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