Surfing and lifeguarding communities have criticized the media for sensationalizing rip currents, thus putting beachgoers at greater risk. While rip currents are responsible for the majority of deaths at American beaches, experts argue that it’s not the current itself, but the swimmer’s response that leads to fatalities. Wyatt Werneth, former Lifeguard Chief of Brevard County in Florida, advises individuals to simply lay on their backs and float if caught in a rip current. With a shortage of lifeguards along coastal states in America, swimmers are urged to educate themselves about rip currents and other ocean hazards.
Rip currents are strong, narrow currents that flow from the shoreline through the surf and out to sea. It’s important to note that they don’t flow downwards and can’t pull swimmers underwater. Werneth emphasizes the importance of staying calm and afloat when dealing with rip currents. Swimming parallel to the shore is not always effective because there may be multiple rip currents present. This can lead to exhaustion and drowning if swimmers attempt to escape.
The United States Lifesaving Association reports that there are over 100 deaths per year in the US due to rip currents, most of which are avoidable. This year alone, rip currents have claimed the lives of 39 people, with nearly half of the fatalities occurring in Florida. Werneth previously served as the lifeguard chief for Brevard County, where he trained lifeguards and is now a spokesperson for the National Lifeguard Association.
Werneth’s advice for surviving rip currents is simple: don’t panic. Panicking can lead to exhaustion and make it difficult to stay afloat. Individuals caught in a rip current should try to maintain their buoyancy and wait for help. Riding out the current is usually the best course of action, as it often loops back to shallower water. Experienced surfers even use rip currents to their advantage, riding them out to sea. Werneth is confident that a trained individual will not drown in a rip current under normal circumstances.
The traditional advice of swimming parallel to the shore is not always effective, as rip currents can be adjacent to each other. Understanding how rip currents work through the use of dyes and aerial cameras is helpful in identifying their patterns. Werneth has never encountered a scenario where a rip current took a swimmer too far out into the ocean that they couldn’t return. However, he suggests that bystanders should not enter the water without flotation devices when attempting to rescue someone caught in a rip current. In his experience, rescue attempts are often more dangerous for the rescuer than the person being rescued.
In conclusion, educating oneself about rip currents and remaining calm and afloat when caught in one can greatly increase the chances of survival. The media should strive to provide accurate information about the risks associated with rip currents rather than exaggerating them. With the lifeguard shortage, it is essential that swimmers take responsibility for their own safety and make informed decisions when entering the water.
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