How to see a rip current?

Rip currents are visible in the water, but they are not always easy to spot. They occur when strong winds push a large wave toward the shore. The wave motion acts like a conveyor belt. The water underneath the wave is then pulled back to shore, creating a powerful current. If you are near saltwater you can often see the foam created by the wave breaking.

How to know if it's a rip current?

Although the water may be calm at the shore, deeper water can move quickly inland. If you see waves crashing onto the shore or hear a roar, it’s likely a rip current, even if the water looks calm. If you have a good look around, you might notice a line of foam or a line of foam breaking on the shore, which is an early warning sign of a rip current.

How to detect a rip current?

You can easily determine if you’re in a rip current by checking the shoreline if you can see sand in the water. Water that looks like a thin line flowing toward shore is a rip current. If you see foam on the water, you likely have a rip current. If a strong wind is blowing towards shore, you may also notice a wave train, which is where the water is breaking, but without the foam. If there is no foam, it is still a rip current.

How to see a rip tide?

If you’re near the coastline and you see waves crashing into the shore and washing back out, you might be witnessing a rip tide. This phenomenon occurs when water flows back out to sea after making landfall. While not as dangerous as a rip current, rip tides and their associated shoreline flooding can still be problematic.

How to avoid a rip current?

Avoiding a rip current is easier than trying to fight one off. Pay attention to weather reports, and don’t even venture out if waters are rising or increasing in strength. If you are caught in a rip current and struggle to get back to shore, do not panic, call 911 immediately and stay calm.