How to Spot a Rip Current

Rips are complex, can quickly change shape and location, and at times, are difficult to see. The things to look for are deeper, dark-coloured water; fewer breaking waves; a rippled surface surrounded by smooth waters; and anything floating out to sea or foamy, discoloured, sandy, water flowing out beyond the waves. Rips don’t always show all of these signs at once. Can you spot a rip?

[MidnightAssassn]

its 6am and i haven't slept, but at least now I can spot rips

[ciaranmcconville]

I had no concept of a Rip until I was caught in one aged 16 on vacation. I was a strong swimmer and very confident swimming anywhere. I was swimming about 50 yards from the shore, and stopped to take in the view. I saw a ship very far out and just floated looking at it for a minute or so. I then turned around to face the beach and I was about 100 yards out. I tried swimming back but just couldn't, and had no idea why. I started to panic and looked around frantically. I saw someone swimming comfortably about 50 yards to my left, and began swimming towards them. By the time I reached them I was edging on exhaustion, but still had about 60 yards to get back to shore. I didn't have the energy to swim normally, and had to lay on my back kicking to propel me towards the shore. Thankfully there was no Rip here and I was able to make it back. The thing that scared me the most was that no one had a clue. I explained to my family what had just happened, and they weren't even aware. It all happened so fast an no one was paying attention. If I hadn't seen that person swimming to my left, I would've died and probably never found.

Never overestimate your strength, and never underestimate the sea. There is no forgiveness.

[BlueGreyOM]

Greetings from Canada. I almost drowned when I got caught in a rip current in Nicaragua. An Aussie surfer saved my life. Ever since then I've become more respectful of the sea. I don't remember if I said "thank you" to my rescuer because I practically blacked out from exhaustion once I touched the beach. So thank you very much Aussie surfer . I"m here because of you.

[kcc]

This should be shown on every International flight arriving in Australia.

[jeffspence]

Last time I went swimming in the ocean, I stayed clear of all of the arrows pointing outward towards the sea.

[eionmark]

I call it the express lane when I'm surfing.

[maggie]

Me: oh I see the rip
*rip arrow pops up on the complete opposite side of where I was looking*

[hughg]

Last summer while swimming at a beach near LA I noticed a life guard waving us into shore. I was about 50-75 yards out, my daughter and Niece were between me and the beach, my brother and his son were behind me further out. As I started swimming towards my daughter and shore I realized he was calling us in due to a rip current. I continued towards shore but at an angle to the south. By the time I caught up with my daughter the life guard was signaling for us to swim straight south parallel to shore as the current had strengthened considerably. I was amazed at how quickly an extremely strong current developed. I am a strong swimmer and Scuba Diver. We would not have been able to make any progress towards shore had we not started swimming south. My first experience with a rip current and one I will never forget. Easy to understand how it could have turned into an emergency situation requiring assistance.

[magicunicorn]

I got caught in a rip in Hawaii when I was 16. I was already doing a dumb thing by swimming alone on a deserted beach. I also didn't know how to spot a rip current. I tried swimming back to shore and found I couldn't --- I was going further out to sea. Then I realized it must be a rip, and remembered a magazine article I read when I was only 10 years old. It said to swim parallel to the beach until you were no longer being dragged out to sea, and THEN swim back to shore. Even then, my energy was spent and I still thought I was gonna drown. Then a big wave picked me up, rocketed me towards the shore, and slammed me into the sand on the beach. I went back to the hotel, took a shower and tried to get all the sand out of my ears and nose. I never did tell my parents.

[gabe-poyi]

I had been swimming since a child, taught and continued to be reminded of water safety throughout my life, including what to do if caught in a rip current. The first time I got caught in one it took me a second or two to realize fully what was happening. Although I knew about them, had been taught to swim sideways - I panicked. The instinct to get to shore was overpowering and that’s where I tried to head, thinking I could force my way through it. The tremendous effort to do so against that force of water exhausted me literally in less than a minute. Thankfully I was with a friend who called out to me to swim sideways as she began doing so herself. I was amazed at how easily I glided through the water. I was 30 years old at the time and had been a frequent swimmer since the age of 5. The second and last time it happened I quickly realized it and immediately and calmly began a sideways trek. I’m thankful I got a second chance. So many don’t.

[eccentricgamer]

*How to survive a rip current:*

Step 1: Swim in a pool instead

[jenniferw]

My parents always told us to watch out for the rip current at Lake Michigan but never explained what it was, how to spot it, and more importantly, how to get out of it. They are everywhere, not just in Australia. Thank you for more information.

[Bravedom]

Also remember, if you get caught in the rip tide make sure to swim perpendicular to the rip or parallel to the shore, don’t swim against the rip.

[Spacegoat]

I got caught in a rip twice swimming at Byron Bay near the wreck when i was about 12/13 years old. It really sucked because at that age i didn't know what to look for, and there was a rather deep channel running out to sea where the rip was. It was especially strong at high tide. First time i got out pretty quick as i was closer to shore and was able to get good footing, but the second time, hell, i put my feet down and could only barely touch, and i could feel myself getting pulled out.


My brother was off snorkeling around the wreck so he was no good to me, suddenly i remembered my swimming classes at school and my teacher telling us what to do if we ever got caught in a rip, so i started swimming across the rip. I remember thinking "If MIss Ranger could see me now!!!" I made it out of the channel then it was about waist deep and i walked out. Never went swimming there again.

[JiggyJiggy]

The most dangerous things about the rip are when you realize the situation, either it was too late or you panic. I once caught in a rip on a beach. I was lucky since I noticed I was pulled out of the shore not too far away but far enough to notice. I lost all of energy in less than a minute because of panicking even though I swam sideway. It was a close call for me then I got anxiety about deep water every since.

[riverotter]

would be nice if you did the video from the beach. Most people don't scan the beach with drones

[siobhanryan]

Thank you for posting this. I got caught in one earlier today, where a river joined the sea. I was very lucky. The pull of the deeper waters was extremely frightening. I went from almost walking in the water to being sucked out to sea. I thank my guardian angel and pure instinct to backcrawl at a right angle.

[DarthKyber]

Good video. Something like this should be played at all the caravan parks and local shops in holiday towns. Used to watch entire families walk straight into rips with no idea trying to get away from the crowds down great ocean road all the time.

[alexandradane]

I was taught how to identify a rip tide around the age of 5 years old, by my father an ex Royal Navy Officer whom fought at sea in the North Atlantic during the war . I think this is a very important video because not many people can know this unless demonstrated, And do NOT forget, that not all rip tides can be so easily identified - know where you swim, find out the nature of the sea movement and tides in your choice of place to swim. Salutes to this channel.

[kripkethechameleonfriends]

The feeder current is a longshore. I think it will be helpful for the viewers to also get an actual land view as well as aerial when explaining since rips can be tough to spot while standing on the beach.. It is one of the reasons why lifeguard bench seats are elevated.