How to escape from a rip current

Tips to stay calm

Control your breathing. Keep your head above water and breathe slowly and deeply.

Think positively and stay composed. Remind yourself: "Don't panic. I can escape the current. Don't fight it, conserve energy, and look for the waves at the edge of the current."

Remind yourself that the rip current won't pull you under. A rip current only pulls you away from the shore. The fear of being dragged under can cause panic.

• If you're a swimmer, you can break free and swim towards the shore at an angle away from the current. However, if you're unsure of your ability to escape, call out and wave your arms to seek help.

• Most rip currents will weaken about 45-90 meters from the shore. When the current slows down, you'll find it easier to escape.
• Even the strongest swimmers can't fight against a rip current. Swimming against the current will only exhaust you and drag you under.

Comparison of swimming parallel to the shore vs floating on the surface

Some researchers oppose swimming parallel to the shore. They recommend floating until the end of the current, which takes about 3 minutes.

Swimming parallel to the shore is the official recommendation. Since 2018, NOAA and the American Lifeguard Association have continued to advise swimming parallel to the shore.

Key takeaway: If you're not a strong swimmer, call for help. If you know how to swim, swim parallel to the shore, but avoid exhausting yourself. If you can't make progress, conserve energy and float until the current weakens or help arrives.

• Rip currents often form around breakwaters and structures that are perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the shoreline. If you're near such structures, swim away from them.
• If needed, you can stop and float to rest. If you become too tired to continue swimming, call for help.

• The signs of a rip current can be subtle and not always visible. A rip current can form even once you're already in the water.

• You'll be more likely to spot a rip current from a higher point than at eye level.
• Polarized sunglasses can help you see the warning signs of a rip current more clearly. When the sun's glare is reduced, you can notice signs like gaps in the waves or debris being pulled out to sea.

• Try searching online for images of rip currents. Rip currents are hard to detect, but a reliable indicator is a gap within the wave.

• Additionally, rip currents might appear slightly different in color. This is due to the current lifting up sediment from the ocean floor.

• Always stay vigilant, even if you don't notice any signs of a rip current. These currents are often difficult to detect, and one can form even when no indicators are visible.

• Swim near the lifeguard station, but don't set up your tent or place chairs directly in front of it. Lifeguards need a clear path to the water in case they need to rescue someone.
• If swimming at a beach without lifeguard supervision, don't venture too far from shore where the water is deeper than waist-high. It's a good idea to bring a flotation device.

• If you're in the U.S., you can check the local beach weather forecast at https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-forecasts.

• Rip currents can form at any time, but they are more likely to occur during low tide.

• Shout at them: "Stay calm! Don’t try to swim against the current. Swim parallel to the shore to escape."
• Try to find a floating object, and if possible, throw it toward the person in the current. If no rescue equipment is available, objects like a surfboard, cooler, or foam board can serve as makeshift flotation devices.

• If you are caught in a rip current and don't know what to do, don't be afraid or embarrassed to wave and call for help.
• A rip current is not the same as a tidal current. Rip currents occur in narrow water channels, often in areas where swimming is prohibited.

• Remember, even Olympic gold medalists can’t swim faster than a rip current. Never try to fight the current by swimming directly toward the shore.