![]() The best thing to do is to swim sideways along the shoreline- parallel to shore-until you find a weak point in the current. However, even experienced swimmers can tire out quickly before ever reaching the shoreline when they’re caught in a rip current. The natural reaction is to swim toward shore. If you’re WONDERing what to do if you ever find yourself caught in a rip current, you might be surprised by the answer. You may see warning signs nearby telling swimmers to be wary of rip currents. ![]() This is because of the particular shape of the coastline in the area. Some regions are more prone to rip currents than others. In Florida, rip currents cause more deaths every year than thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined! They cause as many as 150 deaths each year. That’s faster than an Olympic swimmer! Strong rip currents can even be deadly. They’re also fast, moving up to eight feet per second. When it finds one, it pushes quickly out to sea, creating a rip current that runs quickly away from shore along the surface of the water. As it does so, it seeks a weak point in the breaking waves. At these times, the water from breaking waves may build up. Sometimes, though, certain weather patterns cause heavy wave action. This is an undertow, and it’s usually mild enough that it doesn’t present any danger except to small children and the weakest of swimmers. This creates a gentle current that floats to the bottom of the ocean, which can pull you toward the ocean floor. ![]() All that water has to go somewhere, right?Īs waves break on the shore, water from previous waves runs underneath those currently breaking. What causes rip currents? Think of what happens in an ocean. What’s going on here? More than likely, they’re experiencing a phenomenon known as a rip current.Ī rip current can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. But many people experience this when they’re at the beach. Uh oh! That’s the last feeling you want when you’re in the water. what’s not to love? But have you ever been in the water and suddenly felt yourself being pulled away from the shore? Do you love to swim in the ocean? Who doesn’t, right? The sand, the sun, the cool water. ![]()
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