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Ripcurrents: If in doubt, don’t go out
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| By Liz Premo
Beach News Staff Writer
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| SEACOAST - They've been called rip tides, undertows and just plain "rips," but the proper term for them is "rip currents." They've been known to rapidly sweep swimmers of all abilities away from the relative safety of the shore, and have been the reason for many a rescue by trained lifeguards. They are found along just about every ocean coastline - a naturally-occurring phenomenon often misinterpreted by casual waders while at the same time enthusiastically embraced by diehard surfers. |
| According to a definition provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a rip current is "a relatively small-scale surf-zone current moving away from the beach. Rip currents form as waves disperse along the beach, causing water to become trapped between the beach and a sandbar or other underwater feature. The water converges into a narrow, river-like channel moving away from the shore at high speed. A rip current consists of three parts: the feeder current flowing parallel to the shore inside the breakers; the neck, where the feeder currents converge and flow through the breakers in a narrow band or "rip;" and the head, where the current widens and slackens outside the breaker line." |
| A rip tide, on the other hand, is NOT a rip current. It is defined by NOAA as "a distinctly separate type of current [that] includes both ebb and flood tidal currents that are caused by egress and ingress of the tide through inlets and the mouths of estuaries, embayments and harbors. These tidal currents or jets are a separate and distinct phenomenon from rip currents." |
| Rip currents are identifiable by several specific characteristics: There may be a channel of choppy, churning water, which may be different in color from surrounding waters. A line of seaweed, debris or foam may be seen moving seaward, and there is a noticeable break in the incoming wave pattern. Typically formed at breaks in sandbars and near structures such as jetties and piers, rip currents flow out from the shore and pass through the surf, extending past breaking waves in a "channel" of swiftly-flowing water that can be extremely dangerous. |
| Though they may not be as intense as many found along America's ocean coastlines, rip currents that form along New Hampshire beaches are still a cause for concern. According to Hampton Beach Chief of Lifeguards, Jim Donahue, "We do run into them." |
| "They're pretty much in the same areas every day," explains Donahue. Observing that these areas "are spread out fairly evenly" along the local shoreline, Donahue says "there are five or six that will kick up when the surf gets fairly high." |
| The locations where rip currents typically occur at Hampton Beach alone include the far end of the beach across from the Route 101 expressway; across from Dave's Garage and the Ashworth Hotel; directly across from McDonald's restaurant and the playground; and one down by the state park. |
| Though rip currents may "vary in strength" at any point in time, "they're pretty much the same year after year [in this area]," says Donahue (whose staff of lifeguards cover Hampton's main beach, North Beach, Plaice Cove, a portion of Seabrook Beach, and North Hampton state beach). And what about the rip currents spotted thus far in 2004? "They don't seem to be running with much strength this year, which is good for us," Donahue says. |
| That wasn't the case as far as the recent past is concerned. "Three years ago they were running really hard," says Donahue, adding that rescues by lifeguard "almost became a daily occurrence. It was almost easier to shut down" the affected portions of the beach rather than risk the safety and well-being of Hampton Beach bathers. (Typically, rip tides account for 80 percent of rescues performed by lifeguards.) |
| The "rips" can vary in speed from moment to moment; according to NOAA, "average speeds are 1-2 feet per second, but they have been measured as fast as eight feet per second." Swimmers who get caught up in rip currents can suddenly find themselves being pulled hundreds of feet away from shore. Though the currents pull them out rather than under the water, swimmers can potentially "end up in water over their heads," says Donahue. |
| "The main reaction is to swim against it," explains Donahue, who has been a life guard since 1960. "People become exhausted trying to fight them. The best thing to do is remain calm - it doesn't go on forever." |
| Swimmers who find themselves caught up in a rip current are advised by NOAA to indeed stay calm and don't fight it. Instead, they should "ride it out" by "swimming in a direction following the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle, away from the current, toward shore." In some cases, swimmers may have to simply float or tread water until the current weakens, at which time they can return to shore in the aforementioned manner. |
| Speaking of "ride it out," rip currents are frequently employed by local surfers to do exactly that. According to surf pro Mike Paugh, owner of Zapstix on Route 1 in North Hampton, "in my world we kind of use those [rip currents] to our advantage." It's not unusual, then, to see local surfers catch the rip current in their quest to catch the perfect wave. |
| "We see things a lot differently," explains Paugh. "We don't even think about getting back to shore" because the rip current "helps [you] ride out to where you want to be." |
| Compared to the incredibly strong rip currents he has witnessed in areas such as North Carolina's Cape Hatteras, "this area's pretty stagnant," says Paugh. That's not to say that Hampton's beaches aren't blessed with the prospect of similar water power, particularly around the end of August, when there's "more storms and hurricane swells," says Paugh. Still, no matter how much local surfers may look forward to high-surf and swell combos, Paugh warns that "you always have to be careful" particularly when catching a rip current. |
| For those who may come across a swimmer in trouble because of a rip current, NOAA advises they "don't become a victim while trying to help someone else." Many would-be rescuers have ended up drowning trying to save a rip current victim. Instead, what they need to do is get help from a lifeguard or, if one is not present, yell out instructions on how to escape (see above); throw the victim something that floats; and/or call 911 for further assistance. Visitors to the beach should follow these safety guidelines: Know how to swim; never swim alone; swim near a lifeguard for maximum safety; obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards; be cautious at all times; and, "if in doubt, don't go out." |
| For additional information regarding rip currents and to find out how to "break the grip of the rip," visit www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov. |
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Rip currents: Common sense safety hints
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| SEACOAST - Whether you are an expert or a beginning swimmer, the possibility of being caught in a rip current is the same. |
| Many people have lost their lives and others have found themselves in need of rescue because they were unaware of how to react when caught in a rip current. |
| For this reason, it's always a good idea to be conscious of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to any rip currents. It's a good idea to speak with a lifeguard and find out if there are any rip currents along the part of the beach where you will be swimming. |
| If you find yourself in a rip current it is important not to panic. Try to remain calm and remember not to fight it. Let it bring you out and then swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, and wave your arms to get a lifeguard's attention. |
| Here are some helpful, common-sense safety hints to keep in mind while vacationing near or around the ocean: |
| • Always swim or surf at a beach patrolled by lifeguards |
| • Swim in areas that are designated as the safest areas in which to swim |
| • Avoid swimming alone or unsupervised; there is safety in numbers |
| • Read posted signs. If a beach is closed, don't swim there |
| • If you are unsure of the surf conditions, ask a lifeguard |
| • Don't swim directly after eating |
| • Don't swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| • Don't run or dive in the water; always check the conditions, as they may be changeable |
| • Float with a rip current, not against it |
| • If you get in trouble in a rip current, don't panic; raise one arm up and float until help arrives |
| Have fun, stay safe this summer and always be conscious of changing currents, water patterns and weather conditions. |
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