MAY 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rip Current Awareness Week begins June 3
As vacationers head to the coast this summer, the Texas Sea Grant College Program wants every beachgoer to know the signs of dangerous rip currents and how to escape from them.
To educate the public about the dangers of these fast-moving currents of water, Texas Sea Grant and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is holding its third national Rip Current Awareness Week beginning Sunday, June 3.
Rip currents cause at least 100 deaths each year at United States coastal and Great Lakes beaches and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
They frequently form around man-made structures like jetties, groins and piers — which often are the locations with easiest beach access. Rip currents are also more likely to form when there are heavy surf conditions.
A rip current is a horizontal current that moves perpendicular to the shore. Rip currents do not pull people under the water — they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore.
Other factors that can increase the danger include consuming excessive alcoholic beverages before swimming or walking in the water and the coastline’s system of sandbars with sudden deep troughs. Texas’ strong alongshore current, which contributes to rip current formation, can also be a danger, especially to young children.
Texas Sea Grant urges beachgoers to learn how to swim and never swim alone; be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches; and whenever possible, swim at lifeguard-protected beaches and obey all instructions from lifeguards.
In partnership with the National Sea Grant College Program, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), Texas Sea Grant is participating in a national public awareness campaign to educate beachgoers about the dangers of these fast-moving currents. The “Break the Grip of the Rip” campaign is designed to make beach activities safer and promote the use of rip current forecasts in local weather forecasts and warnings.
If you are caught in a rip current, Texas Sea Grant and USLA recommend the following strategy:
l Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
l Don’t fight the current by trying to swim straight to shore.
l Escape the current by swimming in a direction following the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle — away from the current — toward shore.
l If you are unable to escape by swimming, float or tread water. When the current weakens, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore.
l If you feel you will be unable to reach the shore, draw attention to yourself — face the shore and call or wave for help.
Some clues that may indicate the presence of a rip current include a channel of churning, choppy water; an area with a noticeable difference in water color; a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward; and a break in the incoming wave pattern. However, these signs are not always visible.
Many people have died trying to rescue rip current victims. If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If there is no lifeguard, yell instructions on how to escape, throw the victim something that floats and have someone call 9-1-1.
English/Spanish brochures, posters and table tents about rip currents are available from Texas Sea Grant at sgpublications@tamu.edu or by calling (979) 862-3767. Additional information about rip currents is also available at www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov.
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NR 07-08
Powell 05/23/07
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
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