Rip Current Warnings
I live on the coast of South Carolina and there have been too many drownings and near drownings around both the North and South Carolina beaches. Some are from people getting caught in rip currents, they panic and are unable to swim out of it. All swimmers need to pay attention to rip current warnings.
For many people, when they vacation in a coastal area, they are excited to jump in ocean and have fun in the waves. But before they do that, they need to know the facts about rip currents and other safety tips for swimming in the ocean. While at the ocean, have fun but be safe.
Just recently there was a drowning in North Carolina where a father died while trying to rescue his children. His children were rescued but now they are without a dad. Whether it be from a rip current, going out too far and unable to get back to shore or even floating out too far on a pool float, people going to the beach need to know safety tips if any of these happen while having a fun day at the beach. A fun day at the beach includes going home as a family.
USLA and NOAA credit
USLA and NOAA encourage republishing of this information with the noted credit. Our goal is to see this shared as widely as possible. What we ask is that none of the actual messaging be altered or any of the advice modified. The following is from NOAA’s page, for example, with NWS being the National Weather Service, “NWS encourages state and local governments, municipalities, beachfront organizations, chambers of commerce, and all others to download and print any the materials above. You are welcome to include your organization’s logo or name. This life-saving message was vetted by a team of meteorologists, coastal scientists, and lifeguards and may NOT be altered.” For more ocean safety information visit: https://www.usla.org/ or https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent
Some people call them rip tides but either way, rip tides or rip currents they are very dangerous. I hope these rip current warnings help you stay safe if caught up in one.
This is so important, Martha – thank you for sharing! I think I understood the concept, but this is very informative and I’ll be sharing on social media. (However, with the number of shark sightings off the southeast coast, I’m not sure I’d even venture in the water this year.)
Between rip currents and shares, we do have our full of them Lori. But we have to remember, the people going in the ocean are going in a sharks home. I’m with you though, I stick to wading in the ocean only.
Yikes! I can’t imagine being in that situation. I don’t really swim anymore these days. But this information about what to do is so important. Thanks for sharing it!
We hear of so many drownings or near drownings in our area Jeanine, if this blog saves one life, it’s worth it.
I got caught in one of those off the coast of Hawaii. (The sign- NO Bathing- had been destroyed by a recent storm.) It was the longest 90 minutes of my life as I worked my way (s l o w l y ) back to shore. Had I not been an excellent swimmer, the results would have been far different.
Oh my, I can’t even imagine how long the 90 minutes most have felt Roy. Thing is, even if no sign, there is no telling when and where a rip current may be. Thanks for sharing your rip current story.
This is so timely at this time of year, and after hearing about two drownings in the past couple of weeks. Very important information. Thanks.
It’s scary Barb listening to the news every night, hearing of yet another drowning or close call.