Deadly whirlpool hidden beneath the tranquil dark waters

Rip Currents: A Common Hazard at Beaches This is the primary cause of fatal accidents for tourists while swimming at the beach.

What is a Rip Current?

A rip current is a strong water flow that moves from the shore out to sea. Waves crash and push water onto the beach, but as the water continuously accumulates, it forms a current that flows back out to sea. This ocean water flowing from the shore is known as a rip current. Rip currents can pull individuals far from the shore at speeds greater than an Olympic athlete—within one minute, they can unexpectedly sweep you approximately 100 meters away.

The cause of this current is the waves crashing on the shore, which causes the water to diverge to the sides, creating a flow that moves along the shoreline until it finds an outlet to flow back out to sea.

Although relatively narrow, rip currents can be very fast, difficult to detect, and can move to different locations in the nearshore waters.

Because of the strong flow on the surface, it tends to “dampen” the waves, leading people to mistakenly believe that this is a calm area of the sea, which attracts many to swim.

Experts suggest that rip currents often lurk just beneath the surface of calm water, appearing darker.

Areas with rip currents often look like safe spots for swimming. Because there are no large waves, many people tend to be less cautious.

Most people do not know how to recognize areas likely to have rip currents or what to do if they find themselves in such dangerous situations. Experts believe that rip currents often hide just beneath the calm surface of the water, appearing darker.

This current can remain stable for months or even years. However, they can also change continuously every few hours. At some beaches, the current does not flow out to sea but runs parallel to the shore.

How to Identify Rip Currents

Before entering the water, you should take about 5-10 minutes to identify rip currents by looking for the following characteristics:

It appears darker because the water is deeper there.
The surface of the water is calmer, often with smaller waves.
You may see debris or foam floating on the surface of the rip current heading out to sea.

Simply put, areas with waves are safe, while calm areas are dangerous.

In fact, we can visually identify this rip current.

Tips for Escaping a Rip Current

In reality, rip currents have long been considered one of the primary causes of drowning while swimming at the beach. They are likened to a powerful flow that pulls everything caught in it straight out to sea.

It is estimated that the average speed of a rip current ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter per second, and in strong cases, it can reach 2.5 meters per second. Therefore, even adults can struggle to handle the situation when caught in a rip current, and it is especially dangerous for children.

If caught in a rip current, let yourself drift with the water and signal for help.

If you find yourself caught in a deadly rip current, try to do the following:

Do not panic. This is crucial. Try to stay calm. The current won’t pull you down to the bottom; it will only take you farther from the shore. Typically, the current will pull you about 30 meters away from the shore.
Do not swim against the current. Do not try to swim against the rip current, as most drowning incidents occur from swimming against the current, not from being pulled under. This is impossible; even Michael Phelps would tire and drown at a speed of 2.5 m/s.
Swim parallel to the shore. Instead of trying to swim against the current, swim sideways to the shore, perpendicular to the current. Once you are out of the current, swim diagonally towards the shore.
Go with the current. For those who are exhausted and cannot swim against it, let yourself drift with the current. Once the current subsides, try to swim parallel to the shore or signal for help from lifeguards or nearby people.

Video introduction about rip currents and how to avoid them: