News Release

May 31, 2006
Request for PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Please run through September 5, 2005

THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION’S SECOND ANNUAL RIP CURRENT AWARENESS WEEK BEGINS SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH.

RIP CURRENTS CAN TURN A DAY AT THE BEACH INTO TRAGEDY. THESE POWERFUL CURRENTS OF WATER CAN PULL EVEN THE STRONGEST SWIMMER OUT TO SEA. THEY OFTEN FORM AROUND MAN-MADE OBJECTS LIKE JETTIES AND PIERS.

IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT, STAY CALM. DON’T TRY TO SWIM STRAIGHT TO 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.RIPCURRENTS.NOAA.GOV.

NR 06-11
Powell 05/31/06

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The Texas Sea Grant College Program is a partnership of university, government and industry, focusing on marine research, education and advisory services. Visit our web site at http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu