Safety Information

Rip Currents

Texas Rips!

     Rip currents occur when water collects on the beach faster than it can flow back out to sea. They are frequently found around man-made objects, such as rock groins, jetties and piers.

     If you get caught in a rip current, do not try to swim straight for shore. If the rip current is weak, swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current. If the current is stronger, float with it until it dies out, then swim toward shore.

     Publication supported in part by Institutional Grant NA16RG1078 to Texas A&M University from the National Sea Grant Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Additional copies available from:
Texas Sea Grant College Program
2700 Earl Rudder Freeway South, Suite 1800
College Station, TX 77845
(979) 845-3854
http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu

TAMU-SG-05-401
10M February 2005
NA16RG1078