How to Spot a Rip Current

[frankdunn]

I considered myself a very strong swimmer but about two years ago, no matter how hard I tried to swim, I was just not going anywhere because I panicked. I remembered my army buddy telling me a story if I ever was in situation like that to swim sideways. Staying calm and his advice saved my life.

[MrJeffcoley]

Don't panic. Even if you can't swim parallel to the shore (across the current), it peters out just beyond the breakers. Then you can swim back in. But trying to paddle against the current you're on a water treadmill and you can't get off. You'll become exhausted and drown. Also - get flat on the surface by swimming or floating on your back. The less deep underwater you go the less water acting on your body.

[kodygonser]

My father was in Panama on vacation in late January. On his last day there he was about knee deep picking up a conk shell with this feet when he got caught in a riptide and drowned. He was 44 years old and a life guard for a beach on lake erie during his 20s. He was a very strong swimmer and man, he was a block/brick mason. I came to this video to understand. I still dont. I never got to say goodbye to him.

[notphilivey]

Every High School health class in America should make rip current education mandatory. Hundreds of people drown every year because they do not understand the danger or how to spot rip currents. Just watching this 3 minute video has been an eye opener. The ocean can be treacherous and deadly if it is not properly respected.

[jeffreyzee]

RIP Shad Gaspard, thank you for the joy & laughter you brought to my childhood during your days as one half of Cryme Tyme!
Gone too soon and sorely missed!

[trappinout]

This is possibly the best video on identifying rips.

[dcrowder]

I just survived a rip current before I had much knowledge about the subject. Seriously the most scariest thing I've ever been through. I started to panic which is what you don't want to do. Thank God I'm alive I should of researched the subject sooner. Don't be afraid be aware!

[GreenStreetPlayer]

Interesting as many of us who are on the shoreline are aware of the different action of the waves and wonder why there aren’t crests across the whole bay. In Cornwall over 30 years ago I was taken out of my depth while only moments before was only trunk deep. I thank the wave that took me back in again. As I put my feet down and felt the sand what a relief. Respect the ocean at all times.

[janishani]

Thank you so much for this! Stay safe and sound. Cheers

[swish]

yeah it's something you just know after a while. it's not just the foam or the lack of waves in one spot.. it's also about the shape of the beach and types of waves. sometimes you just can't tell from standing on the sand. but really just be able to swim decently and be aware of where you are all the time.. that's the most important. and it helps to get in the habit of swimming diagonally back to shore always, even if you don't need to

[spacepodi]

I was on holiday on a Thai beach. I did a little test by swimming out for about 6 seconds from chest height water, when I tried to swim back it took me about 30 seconds of hard aggressive swimming. I was surprised at the strength of the current so close to shore, and relieved I followed my instincts to test the waters before swimming out. Needless to say, that was the end of swimming in the sea for me. The thought of getting taken out to shark territory was a bit alarming.

[keithawhitu]

My 2 kids and I got caught in a rip and it is the scariest thing I have ever been through. I was scared for my daughter as she was going under the waves. So we are going to learn more about tangaroa the ocean and learn how to approach it if we ever get into a situation like this again.

[dubon]

Got pulled in by one of these things on a boogie board in Central America. I was able to swim out of it, and exited the water in another beach almost two hours later. That board saved my life.

[joeashbubemma]

Spend enough time in the water, it becomes second nature. We used to catch rips to make it easier to paddle out to the surf.

[steveinkent]

I was dragged out by a rip current in the uk. And luckily saved by an Aussie tourist on a kayak. The calm bits on the beach between the big waves are the dangerous bits! That's where the water's going back out! Keep away from them - yet they look so safe. Watch relevant YouTube vids and obey the life guards!

[G-y_m]

Thanks. I learned about feeder rips and that helps understand a lot more

[themurrrr]

Yeah, it’s easy to spot when you are a drone flying overhead. But how the hell do you see it when you are in the water already?
Even spotting it while standing on the beach is hard.

[waynesimpson]

Yup, I'm a decent swimmer and I got caught in a rip in Corfu. I thought I would just blast front crawl back to the nearby shore but I just got carried out ( I had no idea about swimming parallel to shore). I eventually managed, just but i was totally, totally depleted by the time I had got to the beach, on all fours, spewing salt water. Thanks for this video, it will definitely save some-ones life, somewhere at some point in time.

[honestyfenix]

All I can say is THANK YOU for the great video and explanations. This will be useful for me in the water next time. Regards from Atlanta, USA.

[ep]

One thing most don't understand is, it doesn't matter how strong a swimmer you are. If you fight it, you will loose. You must work with the current to get out of it. Flow with the water and use it to move you sideways as you swim out of the main flow. When it weakens, you swim away and back to shore. Don't waist energy. You will need it to escape. Also, you should be swimming with people who are familiar with the area and can read the water. If you are unsure, stay out of the water. Sad to say, all too often we hear of tourist who die at beaches with no life guards. Stay safe gang! Respect the water!