Rip current

A rip current (or just rip) is a type of water current that can happen near beaches where waves break. A rip is a strong and narrow flow of water that moves straight away from the shore. It cuts through the lines of breaking waves, like a river flowing out to sea. The current in a rip is strongest and fastest close to the surface of the water.

Rip currents can be dangerous for people in the water. Swimmers caught in a rip current might panic or get tired if they try to swim directly against the flow. Because of this, rip currents are a common reason why lifeguards have to rescue people at beaches.

A rip current is not the same as an undertow, even though some people use the term that way. Neither rip currents nor undertows can pull a person underwater. A rip current only carries floating objects, including people, out past the breaking waves. After that, the current weakens and lets go of everything it was carrying.

Causes and occurrence

Rip currents happen when wind and breaking waves push water towards the shore. This makes the water level rise a little. The extra water then flows back out to sea through the easiest path, often through a deeper area like a gap in sand or rocks. This flow out to sea is called a rip current.

These currents can appear along any beach where waves are strong, especially where the shore slopes gently or where there are underwater features like sandbars or reefs. Rip currents can move fast close to the surface and might look calm, which can fool swimmers. They often form near places like piers, jetties, or areas with different underwater shapes.

Visible characteristics

Rip currents look special and can help people see them before going into the water. They often look like a river flowing straight out to sea, especially from high up. You might see a flat area where waves usually break, a foamy "river" moving out to the ocean, or water that looks different in color from the rest.

These signs are important for swimmers and lifeguards. In the United States, some beaches have special signs made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Lifesaving Association to help people understand rip currents and stay safe. Lifeguards watch for rip currents and will move safety flags to help swimmers avoid them.

Danger to swimmers

Rip currents can be very dangerous for swimmers near beaches. They are narrow, fast-moving streams of water that pull away from the shore.

If you ever get caught in a rip current, stay calm. Do not try to swim straight back to shore, as this can tire you out. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then return to the beach. If you cannot escape by swimming, float or tread water and signal for help. Rip currents do not pull you underwater, but they can carry you away from the shore. It is always best to swim where lifeguards are on duty.

Uses

Experienced water users, such as surfers, body boarders, divers, surf lifesavers, and kayakers, sometimes use rip currents to quickly move out beyond the breaking waves. Rip currents offer a fast and easy way to get to open water when they need to get past where waves are breaking.