Great Lakes Swimmers: Beware of potentially deadly rip currents
A number of people have drowned in the Great Lakes, and experts believe a majority of these deaths probably happened because people panicked when a rip current pulled them from shore. Nationally, lifeguards rescue approximately 60,000 people from drowning a year, and an estimated 80 percent are caused by rip currents.
Signs that a rip current may be present
A break in the incoming wave pattern
A channel of churning, choppy water
A line of foam or debris moving seaward
A difference in water color
If caught in a rip current
Stay calm
Don’t fight the current
Swim in a direction following the shoreline (parallel)
Float or tread water if you’re unable to escape by swimming. When the current weakens, swim at an angle (away from the current) toward shore
If you cannot reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Face the shore, call or wave for help
Helping someone else
Many people have died while trying to rescue others caught in rip currents.
Don’t become a victim yourself. If a lifeguard is not present, shout directions on how to escape the current
If possible, throw something that floats to the rip current victim
