Rip currents are a major hazard for beachgoers, accounting for the most beach rescues every year. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, about 100 people drown from rip currents along U.S. beaches each year. Already this year, there have been at least 21 people killed from rip currents in U.S. waters, according to the National Weather Service.

What are Rip Currents?

Rip currents are narrow columns of water flowing rapidly away from the beach. They don’t pull swimmers under water, but can carry them out a fair distance from shore. Low spots along the beach, or areas near jetties or piers, are often where rip currents form.

San Diego Lifeguard Marine Safety Lt. Charlie Knight explained, “A rip current is like a river that pulls out to sea. So when the waves come into the beach, it needs somewhere to go. And so it takes these little channels out that we call rip currents to put all that water back into the ocean.”

Safety Tips

The most frequent advice from beach rescue teams and weather forecasters is to “flip, float and follow.” Flipping over to float makes it easier to stay calm, conserves energy and keeps the airways open while the swimmer is in the rip current’s grip. It’s nearly impossible to fight the current directly. Many swimmers who get in trouble tire themselves out trying to get back to the beach, lifeguards say.

Once the rip current dissipates, it might leave the swimmer out in deeper water. Lifeguards recommend raising an arm to signal for help. Flags with different colors are used to warn beachgoers of various hazards. Red means a high hazard, yellow means a moderate threat and green means low danger.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.