In the vast and mysterious depths of the ocean, there are numerous dangers that lurk beneath the surface. While some of these dangers are well-known, such as sharks and jellyfish, there are others that remain relatively unknown to the general public. These lesser-known dangers can pose significant risks to both humans and marine life. In this comprehensive response, we will explore some of these hidden perils in great detail.
Rip Currents
What are rip currents?
Rip currents are channels of water moving away from the shoreline. They are often found where waves are not breaking. They can form around breaks in sandbars and structures such as piers. The weather does not have to be bad for rip currents to form. They can exist on clear, calm, sunny days on any beach with breaking waves.
Rip currents can average travel around 1 to 2 feet per second. Sometimes, they can also be as fast as 8 feet per second (around 5 miles per hour), faster than an Olympic swimmer. They can roughly be 50-100 feet wide and stretch 300 feet from shore.
To spot a rip current, look for seaweed, foam or other debris moving away from shore. The current might look darker or murkier than the surrounding water. These currents can are found where waves are not breaking or crashing.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, do not attempt to swim against the current toward the beach. If you have good swimming skills, swim parallel to the shoreline until you have escaped the current. Once you have escaped the current’s pull, swim toward the shore at an angle away from the current.
If you cannot escape the current, remain calm and float while waving your hands and yelling to grab the attention of a lifeguard. Rip currents will not pull you underwater but will pull you away from shore. Drowning can occur from the struggle against the current. Do not underestimate the power of water – even the strongest swimmers can drown due to rip currents.
If you see someone caught in a rip current, the best thing to do is to get help by notifying a lifeguard or calling 911 if no lifeguard is present. You can yell instructions to the person caught in the current on how to escape. You are not recommended to enter the water as many have died in an attempt to rescue someone else.