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description=Rip currents off the North Carolina coast can be deadly. How to spot one and stay safe in the water.;
keywords=rip currents, ocean, water safety;
author=WRAL Staff ;

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rip current safety tips before summer hits wral com rip current safety tips before summer hits rip currents off the north carolina coast can be deadly how to spot one and stay safe in the water posted 5 21 2026 1 41 25 pm related rip currents ocean water safety rip current off the coast of north carolina by wral staff rip currents off the north carolina coast can be deadly often times the person who goes out to rescue a swimmer in trouble is the one who ends up losing their life experts say rip currents are the number one weather related reasons for death in the coastal carolinas they are responsible for an average of nine deaths per year according to the national weather service other wral top stories lt john scull with the wrightsville beach fire department ocean rescue team said rip currents are nearly impossible to see unless you re trained to spot them you can spot a rip current from the shore what you re going to look for when you re looking for these rip currents is any kind of break in the waves scull said any kind of suspended sediment going out and if you look carefully you can actually see water moving backwards in the current do you know how to spot a rip current five common signs of a rip current include deeper and or darker water fewer breaking waves sandy colored water beyond the surf zone debris or seaweed and significant water movement rip currents don t always show all these signs at once look for where in 2019 former wral reporter amanda lamb joined scull in the water for a demonstration in less than a minute they were both caught in the rip current i can feel it and not only can i feel it i can see it lamb said basically we could just not be paying attention and it is pulling us out remain calm if caught in a rip current scull said the first rule to survival is remaining calm one of the biggest things is being able to relax learning how to float he said the other thing is learning how to tread water as the rip current continues to pull you away from the shore you must swim photo courtesy of the national weather service once you re in that situation where you can t touch you re going to have to swim scull said the easiest way is a side stroke and a few good kicks it s about energy conservation scull emphasizes the importance of never swimming against the current swim parallel to shore he said if we tried to turn around and swim against it in a weak rip current we might make it but you re still going to get tired and it s not something we want to do how to escape a rip current for a child or anyone who does not know how to swim these situations can be fatal practice these things in a pool scull recommends in a non stressful environment so when the stress occurs it s a lot easier to do according to scull if you re out in the water and need help raise your hand and call for a rescue a lifeguard with a flotation device is the key to saving lives each year lifeguards along the carolina coast rescue hundreds of people the majority of those swimmers are those caught in rip currents rip current safety tips when at the beach whenever possible swim at a lifeguard protected beach never swim alone learn how to swim in the surf it s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake be cautious at all times especially when swimming at unguarded beaches if in doubt don t go out obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water this is part of their job stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties permanent rip currents often exist along these structures consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach they will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean s surface pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach even in shallow water wave action can cause loss of footing if caught in a rip current remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly never fight against the current think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off which you need to step to the side of swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline when out of the current swim at an angle away from the current toward shore if you are unable to swim out of the rip current float or calmly tread water when out of the current swim towards shore if you are still unable to reach shore draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help if you see someone in trouble don t become a victim too get help from a lifeguard if a lifeguard is not available have someone call 911 throw the rip current victim something that floats a life jacket a cooler an inflatable ball yell instructions on how to escape many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current 2026 copyright capitol broadcasting company