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Life rip current awareness 7 facts you need to know to stay safe in the water Rip currents are far more common and more dangerous than most people realize. But according to floridadisaster.org , Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by beach lifeguards. A rip current is a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from the shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents are often perpendicular to the shoreline. Knowledge is key; here are 7 facts you need to know: • Rip currents can be as narrow as 10 feet and as wide as 200 feet. • A rip current can extend hundreds of feet beyond the surf zone. • Rip current speeds are typically 1-2 feet per second, but some can exceed 8 feet per second (Faster than an Olympic swimmer can swim!). • Rip currents are present on many beaches every day of the year and occur most often during low tide. • The strength and speed of a rip current increase as wave height and wave period increases. • Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers. • Rip currents do not pull people under water; they pull people away from the shore. what to do if you are caught in a rip current 1. Don’t panic! Try to remain calm to preserve energy and think clearly. 2. Don’t try to fight the current! Instead of trying to swim back to shore against the current, swim parallel to the shoreline across the current. 3. When completely out of the rip current: swim and angle away from the current and towards shore. if you can’t escape a rip current 1. Try to float or calmly tread water. Rip current strength eventually decreases offshore. When it does, swim toward shore. 2. Draw attention to yourself ! Face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. Information from http://floridadisaster.org WomanToWomanMagazine.com 27


20041FR
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