How to stay safe and avoid rip currents
Rip currents can occur on any beach where breaking waves are present. They are formed when waves push water up the beach; this water needs to find a way back out to sea and it flows back outwards through deeper channels.
- Rip currents can travel at speeds faster than an Olympic swimmer
- Look for discoloured/choppy water, a debris line and fewer breaking waves
- They can travel up to 200m from shore
You can avoid rip currents by swimming between red and yellow flags on a lifeguarded beach.
If you do find yourself in a rip current (shown by red arrows in animation):
- Stay calm and float
- Raise arm/shout to attract attention
- If possible swim parallel to shore (green arrows), not against current as you will become exhausted
- You may need to float and assess the direction you are moving in before deciding which direction to swim in
- Once out of the rip current, swim back into shore
If you see someone in trouble
- Raise the alarm – dial 999 and ask for Coastguard or tell a Beach Lifeguard
- Throw something that floats, such as a lifebuoy
- Never enter the water to rescue someone yourself
