How do you survive a riptide current?

Trying to swim against a rip current will only use up your energy; energy you need to survive and escape the rip current. Do NOT try to swim directly into to shore. Swim along the shoreline until you escape the current’s pull. When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore.

Will a rip pull you underwater?

Myth: Rip currents pull you under water. It can drag you down, but it’s not truly treacherous because you won’t be held under for long. But while rip currents can move fast, they won’t take you far off shore. If you find yourself floating away from shore, try to relax, float, and wave for help.

Why do you swim sideways in a riptide?

The current is too strong to fight head-on. Instead, swim sideways, parallel to the beach (see illustration below). This will get you out of the narrow outward current, so you can swim back in with the waves helping you along.

How far can a riptide pull you out?

Generally speaking, a riptide is less than 100 ft. wide, so swimming beyond it should not be too difficult. If you cannot swim out of the riptide, float on your back and allow the riptide to take you away from shore until you are beyond the pull of the current. Rip currents generally subside 50 to 100 yards from shore.

How far does a rip go?

“Often it’s those perfect, beautiful sunny days, the waves aren’t that big so people go in the water and the rips are flowing pretty fast.” Mr Thompson says rips can be anywhere between 10 and 20 metres wide, and have been known to flow as far as 400 metres out to sea.

What to do if you are caught in an undertow?

Always swim with an adult who can help you or call for help in case of an emergency. If you are dragged in by an undertow, you must stay calm in order to resist the process. Don’t wear yourself out swimming against the current. The most important thing is to stay afloat.

Has someone ever drowned with a life jacket?

There are actually several reasons why persons wearing life jackets occasionally drown. A significant number of these drowning victims were paddlers, such as canoeists and kayakers.

How do you swim away from a rip current?

swim parallel. The best way to survive a rip current is to stay afloat and yell for help. You can also swim parallel to the shore to escape the rip current. This will allow more time for you to be rescued or for you to swim back to shore once the current eases.

What do you do if you can’t swim on the beach?

If you can’t swim, call for help and wave your arms to get the attention of a lifeguard or other people on the beach. If you know how to swim, you should be able to escape and swim back to shore at an angle away from the current.

How many swimmers are rescued from rip currents each year?

Lifeguards in the U.S. rescue another 30,000 swimmers from rip currents each year. We usually think of waves as washing stuff onto the beach—seaweed, shells and other ocean debris.

What happens when you panic at a rip in the pool?

When you start panicking, you’re using twice the amount of energy swimming against the rip. You might as well be swimming against Niagara Falls. When you panic, you’re making it twice as hard for survival.” Step 3. Forget the Myths “It’s not going to suck you down,” says Minardi. “Undertow is a myth.