Rip Tides: What They Are, How to Spot Them, and What to Do If You're Caught in One

Whether you live near the coast or plan to visit the beach this summer, understanding rip tides is important for you and your family’s safety. Rip tides are fast-moving channels of water that can form near shorelines and are responsible for hundreds of rescues and fatalities each year. In fact, rip currents account for more than 80% of rescues performed by beach lifeguards.

What Is a Rip Tide?

A rip tide, more accurately called a rip current, is a narrow stream of water that moves quickly away from the shore, often cutting through breaking waves. These currents can reach speeds of up to 8 feet per second, faster than even an Olympic swimmer. They don't pull you under the water but rather away from the shore, which can be just as dangerous if you panic or try to fight against it.

When and Where Do They Occur?

Rip currents are most common at low spots or breaks in sandbars, near jetties, piers, or other structures. They tend to form on beaches with moderate to heavy surf, particularly after storms. While they can occur any time, they’re more frequent during calm, sunny days following rough weather, when the waves have created new sandbars and channels.

Beaches on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, especially in Florida and the Carolinas, see the highest number of rip current incidents, but they can occur anywhere there's surf.

How to Spot a Rip Tide

Keep an eye out for these signs:

• A noticeable gap in the wave pattern
• Choppy or foamy water in a narrow path
• Water that appears darker, as it’s deeper in the current
• Debris or seafoam being pulled away from shore

What to Do If You’re Caught in One

If you’re ever caught in a rip current, don’t panic and don’t swim directly back to shore. Instead:

• Swim parallel to the shore to get out of the narrow current.
• Once free, swim back to the beach at an angle.
• If you’re too tired, float or tread water and wave for help.

Understanding rip tides can turn a potentially dangerous situation into a survivable one. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a few moments of awareness can make your beach day both fun and safe.