A Warning About Rip Currents

Rip currents are the leading hazard for all beach-goers (right behind sunburn/heat exhaustion). You don't have to be a weak swimmer to be effected by them either.

Over 100 drownings due to this unassuming danger, occur every year in the United States.

They can be found on many outer Cape Cod beaches every day. Under most tide and sea conditions the speeds are pretty slow. However, when the conditions are right, the speeds can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the water.

The strength and speed will likely increase as wave height and wave period increase. The most dangerous time is during high surf conditions as the wave height and wave period increase.

These currents typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers. They can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. The outwards pull also varies.

Sometimes the current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves, but sometimes they can continue to push hundreds of yards offshore.

How To Spot A Rip Current

A channel of churning, choppy water.

An area having a notable difference in water colour.

A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily out to sea.

Any break in the incoming wave pattern.

None, one, or more of the above clues may indicate the presence of these dangerous currents. They are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average vacationer.

How to Avoid and Survive Rip Currents:

Learn how to swim

Never swim alone.

Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches.

Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.

If caught in a strong current, remain calm and think clearly.

Don’t fight it. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of it's grasp, swim towards shore.

If you are unable to swim out from it's pull, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.

If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and try to call for help.

By far, the most important thing to remember is NOT TO PANIC! The vast majority or drownings occur because of panic.

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