AST Weather Blog: Rip currents pose big risk to those vacationing in coastal areas

Although Arkansas is a landlocked state, we have a lot of people who travel to the coast each summer. It’s a great way to cool off and unplug during the hottest time of the year. But it does come with dangers that you need to know about.

One of the biggest threats vacationers face when swimming in the water is rip currents . These are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that form near beaches and are notorious for pulling swimmers away from the shore and out to sea. Understanding their dangers and knowing how to respond can prove life-saving.

Rip currents can move at speeds exceeding 5 mph, which is faster than the average Olympic swimmer. This swift flow makes it difficult for even strong swimmers to swim directly back to shore. Being caught in a rip current can induce panic, leading to exhaustion as individuals attempt to swim against the current. This exhaustion increases the risk of drowning, particularly for those who overexert themselves.

So how would you escape a rip current? First of all: remain calm and avoid panicking. If you’re unable to swim out of the current, try to stay afloat or tread water to conserve energy. Signal for help by waving your arms and shouting if possible. With time, you should be able to escape the offshore current. Swim parallel to the shore until you find the current that takes you back to shore.

But of course, the best way to stay safe is to pay attention to forecasts. Flags are posted on all public beaches, indicating the threat levels of each day. If you see red or double red flags, stay out of the water.

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