Southeast rip current deaths make city leaders stress safety for beachgoers

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Myrtle Beach city officials are reminding beachgoers to know how to identify rip currents and how to escape one if they’re caught.

The city’s Ocean Beach Rescue team said it’s important to stay alert because even the strongest swimmer can be swept away from the shore

Ocean Rescue says they use the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) rip current safety toolkit, daily.

USLA’s reports said tens of thousands of rescues happen yearly.

Ocean Rescue Lieutenant, Tommy Church said “USLA agency says almost 80 percent of rescues are caused by rip currents.”

Church said he started with Ocean Rescue as a lifeguard back in 2015.

He said if you are caught in a rip current, relax and don’t swim against it.

He says rip currents don’t pull you underwater, “once you get out of that rip current, the best thing to do is swim parallel, at an angle, back to shore.”

Church said rip currents are very difficult to spot but you’ll be able to see them with practice.

He tells beachgoers to look for any turning water, debris or sediment pulling away from shore.

“Local lifeguard agencies are all trained to identify and spot rip currents; they will usually make that area a no swimming area for the duration of that while it’s present.”

However, not all beaches have a lifeguard present. Church said in that situation, dial 911, know your avenue, and throw the person struggling a floatation device.

Myrtle Beach Police Spokesperson, Randolph Angotti, said there are always flags on the beach to tell you the current condition of the ocean.

He said blue means marine wildlife is present, green means safe, yellow means medium hazard, and double red means it’s not safe to swim.

Angotti also explained what the singular red flag means. “The most common, when rip currents increase, you’ll see a single red flag. It tells you it’s an enhanced rip current and if you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t enter the water.”

Church said rip currents can happen anywhere that has breaking waves no matter the weather.

However, he adds they’re more common during the low tide hours.

Angotti said, “If you have any questions, just stop somebody that’s working on the beach and ask them. They’re not going to be upset that you want to be safe while you’re at the beach.”

Church says the job of a lifeguard is to check rip currents, surf height, winds, and heat index, multiple times a day.

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