Stay safe: Don't become a victim of ocean rip currents Published July 8, 2009 By Master Sgt. Lynard Slaton 87th Air Base Wing Safety JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- It's summer now, it's getting hot and people are heading to the beaches. The 87th Air Base Wing Safety office has compiled the following information about ocean rip currents - which claim 100 lives every year in the U.S. -- to make sure everyone returns home safely. Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers. More than 80 percent of water rescues on surf beaches are due to rip currents. Rip currents can occur at any surf beach with breaking waves. As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore. Rip currents can be found on many surf beaches every day. They are most likely to be dangerous during high-surf conditions as the wave height and wave period increase. Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. Identify rip currents by looking for any of the following clues: · A channel of churning, choppy water · An area having a notable difference in water color · A line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward · A break in the incoming wave pattern Rip currents are often not readily or easily identifiable to the average beachgoer. For your safety, be aware of this major surf zone hazard. Polarized sunglasses make it easier to see the rip current clues provided above. Tips to avoid and survive rip currents: · Learn how to swim before you wade into the ocean · Never swim alone · Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don't go out · Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach · Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards · If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly · Don't fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim 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; face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. · If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911. Throw the rip-current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. It'll be difficult not to jump in the water, but let the professionals handle it.