I recently went to the ocean to cool off, given the intense California heat waves. As a proficient swimmer who is very comfortable with the water, I unexpectedly encountered a rip current. The more I tried to swim towards the shore, the further the waves pushed me into the water. Before I knew it, I was the farthest person from the shore.
I did my best to stay calm, but the waves were extremely harsh. They kept bobbing me in and out of the water. After calling for help, a lifeguard eventually came to my rescue. Almost drowning has encouraged me to share best practices to avoid and survive a rip current.
What are Rip Currents?
Rip currents are characterized as powerful currents of water that are channeled towards the ocean. They are typically caused by breaking waves that result in channeled water finding its way back into the ocean. A break in a sandbar that allows the water to easily flow back into the ocean can result in a rip current.
Most people refer to rip tides and rip currents interchangeably, but they are slightly different. Rip tides are also powerful seaward flowing currents, but they are caused by tides. Unlike rip currents, rip tides more commonly occur in narrow water locations such as bays and inlets.
Avoid Rip Currents
Check the Ocean Forecast
To avoid a rip current, it is important to check the tide and surf forecast prior to heading to the beach. This is something I never took into account previously when I headed to the beach. However, after my recent experience, I will make this a regular practice.
Knowing the best tide option for your water activity is helpful in ensuring the best experience. If you are going to the beach to swim or dip your body in the water, then a slack tide is the best bet. This occurs an hour before or after a high or low tide.
When it comes to waves and interpreting surf forecasts, if the waves are 1 foot or less, then it is generally safe for swimming. If the waves are 2 to 3 feet, then you should proceed with caution. When the waves exceed 3 feet, it is considered dangerous, especially for inexperienced swimmers. Since these waves have a high probability of rip currents, even experienced swimmers must be careful.
Most importantly, pay attention to any signs or beach warning flags. These flags indicate the ocean conditions, so they should not be ignored or taken lightly. If you see a red flag, then that is a high-hazard condition, and you should avoid the water.
Respect the Ocean
It is also important to respect the ocean before getting in. This means paying attention to the energy of the ocean and the intensity of the waves. A high tide occurs when waves get closer and closer to the shore. During this time, it’s best to wait for the ocean to calm down before entering.
Be intentional about choosing a guarded beach. This means avoid swimming late at night with no lifeguard or spectators. If you are uncertain about the ocean forecast, then consult with the lifeguard before entering the water.
Most importantly, be honest about your swimming abilities. If you are afraid of the water or are an inexperienced swimmer, then it is best to stay by the shore. While it might not be fashionable, it is also helpful to consider wearing a floater. This is especially encouraged if you have children who may be eager to get deeper in the water.
Lastly, consider having a buddy when going to the beach, specifically if you plan on getting in the water. Even if they don’t get all the way in the water with you, they can at least observe and flag for help if needed.
Spot a Rip Current
Being able to spot a rip current is an essential skill for all beachgoers. This is definitely something I was unaware of before my experience. It can be difficult to identify a rip current because sometimes they are very subtle. If they aren’t obvious rip currents that are easily identifiable, then consult with a lifeguard.
These are clues to keep in mind when trying to spot a rip current.
- A narrow gap of calm water next to areas with white water
- A narrow channel with distinct water color
- Any line of debris moving toward the ocean
If you manage to spot a rip current, then you should avoid the ocean until they disappear. They typically end beyond the point where the waves break, but sometimes they can continue for hundreds of yards.
Survive Rip Currents
Stay Calm
Sometimes you may take all the precautions needed, but unfortunately, find yourself caught up in a rip current. In my case, the waves were calm before entering the water, but they escalated afterwards. I realized I was too far from the shore, so I decided to swim back. During this process, I experienced intense waves that kept pulling me back to the ocean. While this was extremely nerve-wracking, I chose to stay calm and trust my swimming abilities.
Staying calm is essential in preventing fear and panic, which leads to the survival instinct of fighting the water. After multiple failed attempts of swimming back to shore, that’s when my fear and anxiety took over. My constant fighting against the water caused exhaustion, which is the main reason even experienced swimmers can drown. Your body no longer has the energy to keep you afloat, which can lead to sinking. Instead of fighting the water, you should conserve your energy and float with the current by treading water.
Float Then Swim Parallel To Shore
Instead of swimming against the current, I should have kept floating. While it was previously advised to swim sideways and get out of the line contact with the current, some experts advise against it. Instead, floating on your back to conserve energy until the current disappears is encouraged. Afterwards, you can swim parallel to the shore.
This sounds scary because I got pulled too far from the shore, which caused fear of getting even further into the water. However, unless you feel confident swimming parallel to shore during the rip current, you are more likely to exhaust yourself in the process. In this instance, it is recommended to let the water pull you in, then call for help by waving your arms.
Wave for Help
I managed to have energy to shout and wave for help, which was instrumental in preventing drowning. I knew I was far deep into the ocean because the lifeguard swam a long distance before we made it back to the shore.
While my friend, who is an efficient swimmer, wanted to come and help me, I’m glad she did not. Unless I was closer to the shore and she could have thrown me a floater, her efforts would have been risky. In this scenario, it is better to get help from an actual lifeguard because rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.
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