Understanding Rip Currents: What they are and how to stay safe

Rip currents are one of the greatest and most common hazards on beaches. RLSS UK CEO Robert Gofton discusses why knowing what a rip is, how to spot one and what to do if you get into difficulty is vital to staying safe at the beach.

 

I was recently asked during a radio interview about rip tides and made the fundamental error of continuing to use that terminology, only realising what I had done when I re-listened to the interview. Colleagues may tease me for this error for a while so I thought it would be useful to try and clear this up as rip currents are often mistakenly called "rip tides". Despite their innocent appearance, rip currents are responsible for more drownings each year than any other beach hazard. I hope this blog will explain what rip currents are, how to spot them, and most importantly, what to do if you find yourself caught in one. 

 

What is the tide? 

In simple terms, tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. Tides occur on a predictable schedule, with high and low tides happening at specific times each day. Read here for more information: All about tides 

 

What is a rip current? 

Sometimes referred to as rivers of the sea, a rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that flows from the shore out to the sea. These currents are created when waves break strongly in some areas and weakly in others, causing water to rush out to sea in a channel of water. Unlike a tide, which rises and falls slowly, rip currents can move at speeds of over 5 mph. If you have been watching the Olympics recently you will know that this speed is faster than elite swimmers can achieve. They can occur on any beach with breaking waves, and they are a leading cause of beach-related drownings. 

The confusion arises because both rip currents and tides involve the movement of water, and both can pose a hazard to swimmers. The term "rip tide" suggests that the current is related to the tide, which is not the case. Rip currents are not influenced by tidal movements but by the breaking waves that create them. 

 

What should I look for to spot a rip current? 

Being able to identify a rip current can save your life. Here are some signs to watch for: 

  1. Discoloured water: Rip currents often carry sand and debris from the shore out to sea, which can make the water look darker or murkier than the surrounding water. 

  1. Choppy, foamy water: If you notice an area where the water appears unusually choppy, with foam, debris, or seaweed moving steadily out to sea, it could be a rip current. 

  1. A break in the waves: Rip currents often form in channels between sandbars. If you see a gap in the line of waves breaking on the shore, it could indicate a rip current. This also causes problems because an inexperienced beach user will head out to these calmer areas rather than where the waves are breaking. 

  1. Water moving out to sea: If you notice water flowing away from the shore, especially at a higher speed than normal, it’s likely a rip current. 

 

What should I do if I get caught in a rip current? 

It’s not always easy to spot a rip current, particularly from the shoreline, but if you find yourself caught in a rip current, it’s essential to remain calm. DO NOT PANIC as this will only tire you out faster and reduce your ability to think clearly. If this happens you are putting yourself in extreme danger. Here’s what you should do: 

  1. Don’t fight against the current: Trying to swim directly back to shore against a rip current is a common mistake. Even strong swimmers can become exhausted quickly. Instead, conserve your energy. 

  1. Float on your back: If you can’t escape the current by swimming, float and let the current carry you out until it weakens. Rip currents often dissipate not far from the shore, where you can then swim back more easily. 

  1. Signal for help: If you're struggling or unsure what to do, shout for help, raise an arm and wave to attract attention. The Lifeguards will come and assist you or someone on the beach will raise the alarm by calling 999 and ask for the coastguard. Occasionally surfers have been known to help until the emergency services arrive. 

  1. Swim parallel to the shore: This used to be the most common piece of advice but I’ve left this deliberately last as not everyone is a good swimmer and knowing where you are in the rip current makes a difference to which way you swim, even swimming parallel to the shore could mean swimming against a rip current which is what you want to avoid. If you are a confident swimmer and you are sure of knowing the direction of the rip then you can swim parallel to it and once, you're out of the current, you can swim back to shore at an angle. Otherwise stick to 1, 2 and 3 especially if you find yourself getting tired. 

 Remember a rip current will only take you out to sea a relatively short distance. It will not pull you under the water or take you across the ocean! 

 

Conclusion 

Understanding rip currents and knowing how to react if you encounter one is crucial for your safety. The key is not to fight the rip current but to work with it, stay calm and conserve energy.  

Remember, float on your back and call for help.  

However, the best advice is to avoid getting caught in a rip in the first place! Before swimming, spend a couple of minutes looking along the beach for signs of a rip, always check for warnings – red flags or signs on the beach, talk to a lifeguard about current conditions and swim between the red/yellow flags. If you are in doubt about your safety, then you should not go in the water. 

By staying informed and being cautious, you can enjoy the water safely. 

 

RLSS UK aims to ensure that everyone has the knowledge to #EnjoyWaterSafely. Read on for our top tips to stay safe when spending time in, on, or around water:

Stay safe in. on and around the water

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