Rip Currents At The Jersey Shore: What To Know

NEW JERSEY — With the return of the summer beach season, there's also a return of one of the biggest dangers of going in the water: rip currents.

Rip currents lead to drownings every summer at the Jersey Shore, and lifeguards up and down the coast make hundreds of rescues of people who get caught in them. There's a common denominator in most deaths from rip currents, however: Swimming on an unguarded beach.

The ocean water can be deceiving. Seemingly calm surf can be hiding powerful rip currents churning in the surf, ready to pull you from the shoreline and out to sea.

"Great weather for the beach does not always mean it's safe to swim or even play in the shallows," the National Weather Service says. "Rip currents often form on calm, sunny days."

The National Weather Service has information on how to spot a rip current, what to do if you're caught in one and how you can save yourself if help is not nearby.

Here's what you need to know.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the coasts. The water in a rip current is a natural treadmill that travels an average speed of 1-2 feet per second and has been recorded at up to 8 feet per second, faster than an Olympic swimmer.

To avoid becoming caught in a rip current, follow these rules:

• Swim in guarded areas only
• Avoid swimming in holes between sandbars
• Do not swim during periods of rough surf
• Watch for areas of discolored or rippled water
• Never swim alone

If you get caught in a rip current:

Panicked swimmers often try to fight a rip current by swimming straight back to shore, which risks fatigue that puts them at risk of drowning. Instead:

• Relax and float to conserve energy. A rip current will not pull you under water, just away from the shore. Staying calm may save your life.
• 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.
• If you feel you can't reach shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help.

Remember: If in doubt, don't go out.

The National Weather Service has published a video with information and tips. Watch it here.

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