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Brigantine beach and water safety tips. How to avoid the danger of rip currents.
A rip current is a specific kind of water current that can occur near beaches with breaking waves. A rip current is a strong, localized, and narrow current of water which moves directly away from the shore, cutting through the lines of breaking waves like a river running out to sea.
- Swim near a lifeguard. Statistics show that your chance of drowning at a beach without a lifeguard is five times greater than a beach with lifeguards
- Never swim alone. Many drownings involve single swimmers. When you swim with a buddy, if one of you has a problem, the other may be able to help.
- Obey warning signs and flags. These warning systems make beach patrons aware of current water conditions.
- Obey lifeguards orders and instructions. Lifeguards are trained professionals.
- Know how to swim. It’s the best defense against drowning.
- Don’t dive headfirst. Serious lifelong injuries occur due to diving headfirst into unknown water and hitting bottom.
- Leash your Board. Surfboards and boogie boards should be used only with a leash.
- Don’t fight the current. If you’re caught in a rip current, don’t fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, and then swim to shore.
- Swim sober. Alcohol is a major factor in drowning. Both alcohol and drugs impair good judgment.
- Don’t float where you can’t swim. Don’t use flotation device unless you can swim.
- Wear a life jacket. Most fatalities associated with boating accidents are from drowning. Use approved Coast Guard lifejacket when boating.
- Wear sunscreen. Reapply often. Limit sun exposure. Wear loose fitting and lightly colored clothing with a hat and sunglasses.
Brigantine Rip Current Safety:
How to identify a rip current.
- Channel of churning, choppy water
- Area with difference in water color. Brown colored from churning sand.
- Foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward.
- Break in incoming wave pattern.
How to swim out of a rip current
- If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy. Think clearly.
- Don’t fight current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
- Unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Face the shore,wave your arms, yell for help.
- See someone in trouble? Get help from a lifeguard and/or call 911.
- WARNING: Many people drown while trying to save someone from a rip current.
Always Swim Near A Lifeguard.
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