About Rip Currents
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
- Call 911
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