Beware of unpredictable rip currents

DEFINED as a strong current of water which moves swiftly away from the shore, cutting through breaking waves like a river running out to sea, rip currents pose a danger to swimmers.

Strong rip currents occur during spring tides, which bring higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides. Spring tides occur a few days leading up to, during or after a new or full moon. The next full moon is on January 2.

With holidaymakers flocking to beaches in their hundreds, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has released a warning on the danger of rip currents.

NSRI’s Craig Lambinon said there are two types. The first is a permanent rip current, often found alongside islands, rocky outcrops jutting out into the sea, at river mouths and in between reefs and harbour walls. He said these occur in the same place, allowing the water reaching the shoreline to retreat back into the sea.

The second type is a temporary rip current. These are found along shorelines and at beachfronts.

He said these are forever changing position, forming in different places along the shorefront throughout the day, making them unpredictable as they can form suddenly along a beachfront without warning.

With the approaching full moon spring tide, Lambinon issued a strong warning to swimmers.

“Bathers are at risk of being swept out to sea by rip currents while swimming or wading in water along the beachfront,” he said.

“Even bathers wading in shallow water can find themselves trapped in a rip current that forms suddenly, and are at risk of being swept out to sea by a rip current.”

Lambinon said bathers caught in a rip current should not panic. Instead they should:

● Stay afloat by treading water, achieved by moving both arms and legs in circular movements;

● Not try to swim against the current but to rather allow the current to sweep them out to sea;

● Once out at sea, at the first opportunity swim parallel to the beachfront until free of the rip current; and

● Use the incoming waves to come back to shore.

“While this is happening, scream for help and wave to alert people on the beach to raise the alarm. Bathers should swim at beaches only when and where lifeguards are on duty and swim within the safe swimming zones lifeguards mark using their red and yellow flags. Children should have responsible adult supervision around coastal and inland waters.”

He said anglers fishing along the shoreline, particularly on rocky outcrops, are at the greatest risk during the spring tide.

“Incoming waves during the high tides engulf higher than normal over rocks. Anglers should never turn their back to the sea and should be vigilant and cautious of wave action at all times while fishing,” Lambinon said, adding that boaters, paddlers, sailboarders and anyone launching any kind of craft onto water should wear a life-jacket at all times and carry easily accessible safety equipment.

“[This includes] red distress flares, cellphones, or VHF radio with fully charged batteries in watertight plastic sleeves.” —