What to know about dangerous Florida rip currents, how to escape if you're caught in one

Rough surf causing dangerous rip currents at Florida beaches has recently claimed the lives of at least six people.

The drownings were reported on Hutchinson Island in Martin County and along Panama City Beach, located in the Florida Panhandle.

For out-of-state vacationers and native Floridians, getting caught in a rip current can be a dangerous, challenging experience.

Here we look at what exactly is a rip current and the best steps to survive if you get caught in one.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are powerful, concentrated channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, most often found at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as jetties and piers.

How do rip currents work?

Rip currents form when incoming waves create an underwater sandbar. The waves push more water between the sandbar and the shore until it collapses and the water rushes back to the sea through a narrow gap, where it starts to spread out.

How to spot rip currents?

They can be difficult to see when you're in the water as the ocean over them can still be smooth.

Rip currents often form during or after stormy weather but can form on bright, sunny days just as easily since the weather isn't really what's causing them. Rip currents can be found at any beach with waves, at any time.

What should you do if you're caught in a rip current?

By far the most important thing to do is to stay calm, and even try to relax. They can be scary, but rip currents will only pull you along, they won't pull you under the water. The biggest danger is tiring yourself out.

• Don't panic or thrash about. Don't bother trying to fight the current.
• You may be able to get out of the current by swimming with it parallel to the shore (or just floating or treading water) until it fades or circulates back to shore, and then you can swim to the beach.
• You also can try swimming with the current toward breaking waves, where you may be able to swim for shore.
• If you can't reach the shore or you're being pulled farther out to sea, or you're getting tired, draw attention to yourself by waving or shouting for help.