Rip currents: What they are, how to avoid them, and how to escape them

Rip currents, the scary type of water current with the equally scary sounding name, have been in the news a lot this summer.

Just last week:

• A 14-year-old boy was swept away in the waters off the coast of North Carolina.
• A 43-year-old man drowned after being caught in such a current off the coast of Florida.
• Officials in San Diego, California, warned of dangerous rip currents before the packed Fourth of July weekend.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to handle rip currents, Scouting has your back. The phenomenon is covered in the BSA Fieldbook and the Oceanography, Lifesaving and Swimming merit badges.

What is a rip current?

From the Swimming merit badge pamphlet:

Rip currents are long, narrow sections of water that form after waves break and the water goes back out. Rip currents form a funnel of current that moves much faster than the current on either side. The current can be so strong that it may be difficult or impossible to swim against it. It can carry an unsuspecting swimmer a long distance from shore and even out to sea.

Swimming is one of the merit badges required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Since its inception, millions of Scouts have earned that merit badge and, in the process, learned how to stay safe from rip currents and other dangerous aquatics-related situations.

How do you spot a rip current?

Rip currents are often hard to see, but look for the following clues:

• An area having a noticeable difference in water color
• A channel of churning, choppy water
• A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily away from shore
• A break in the incoming wave pattern

In 2015, a group of rip current researchers found what they called “the perfect rip current” off the beach in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. They released a batch of harmless green dye into the water and filmed the results.

It’s a fascinating video, but I kind of wish they presented it in real time instead of sped up. As one of the commentors points out, slow the video down to .25 speed to get a different perspective.

After all, it’s the gradual, steadiness of the current that makes it scary. It’s not like a giant wave that approaches you with speed and force. Most people don’t realize they’re in a rip current until it’s already pulled them far away from shore.

What do you do if you find yourself in a rip current?

Don’t:

• Panic.
• Swim directly against the current. The overwhelming majority of the time, this is not a fight you can win.

Do:

• Shout to people on shore for help.
• Swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the current. When you reach calmer water, it’s safe to swim straight to the shore.
• If you get tired, float on your back until the current calms.

How do you avoid rip currents?

As the state of Florida says, “Stay Safe, Know The Flags.”

Most public beaches use a flag system to inform beachgoers of current conditions.

• Green flag: Safe conditions. There is no significant surf or current activity.
• Yellow flag: Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. For others, enhanced care and caution should be exercised.
• Red flag: High hazard. Rough conditions such as strong surf and/or currents are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Those entering the water should take great care.
• Double red flag: Water closed to public use. The water is closed due to dangerous rip current activity.

It’s very difficult for the average person to judge conditions on their own, even if they’re standing right there on the beach. Trust the flags, people!

What if my child or a friend is caught in a rip current?

When one person attempts to swim into the ocean — without any kind of flotation device — to save another person who’s caught in a rip current — also without a flotation device — the most common result is that you end up with two active drowning situations instead of one.

Perhaps the best advice can be found in the Scouting guidance: Reach, Throw, Row, Go, knowing that you’re going to have to skip right past the “reach” stage, since a rip current victim by definition is already far from shore.

Instead of swimming out empty handed to save someone, grab two buoyant objects, swim toward the victim, and throw one object to them, saving the other for yourself.

An approved rescue device such as a ring buoy is always preferred, but in a true emergency, anything is better than nothing. (Who would have thought that a 98-cent pool noodle could literally be the difference between life and death?)

I’ve heard stories of rescuers (many of whom happened to be brave Scouts) grabbing a stranger’s surfboard or boogie board in these situations. It’s a good idea. They’ll forgive you.

Paddling out in a kayak or other vessel, if one happens to be nearby, is an even smarter option.

In the summer of 2022, a Scouts BSA troop was enjoying a day at the beach near Lewes, Delaware, when the adults spotted some (non-Scout) swimmers that appeared to be caught in a rip current far from shore.

One adult instinctively jumped in to attempt a rescue. After swimming part of the way to the victim, he realized he had entered the water without a flotation device and smartly turned around. Other adults with flotation devices were able to successfully execute the rescue.

As soon as you arrive at the beach, look around, see what rescue resources are available, and come up with a plan in case something happens.

Are rip currents really that dangerous?

Yes.

The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that around 100 deaths in the United States can be attributed to rip currents each year.

According to data made public by the National Weather Service, 19 surf zone fatalities in 2024 (as of last week) have been attributed to rip currents. The surf zone is defined as the area of water between the shore and the first line of breaking waves, which just goes to show that you don’t have to stray far from shore to get caught in a rip current.

What’s the difference between a rip current and rip tide?

The National Ocean Service points out that many times a rip current is incorrectly referred to as a rip tide.

A rip tide is the natural tidal flow caused by the tide pulling water out to sea. Though a rip tide can be dangerous, they are more predictable than rip currents, which are caused by weather conditions and can change rapidly.

The National Weather Service offers excellent guidance on rip current awareness and safety.

Photos and graphics courtesy of the National Weather Service