Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

What people often think of as the dreaded "tidal stream" often has nothing to do with tides, so experts prefer the term "rip current" in those cases. A rip current is a long, narrow strip of water that can draw swimmers from shore and out to sea in just a few seconds. Mouse currents are dangerous, and it is best to learn how to spot them and stay out. However, if you end up in a rip-stream, the correct response will give you a big advantage.

To step

1. Learn to recognize a tidal stream. What most people call a tidal current is technically a "rip current": a narrow strip of water that flows from the beach to the sea (or sometimes along the beach). Stay aware of your surroundings and learn to recognize the warning signs:
   • Avoid gullies of water that look different from the environment. A tidal current can appear more irregular and foamy, or be a calm hole in the line of breaking waves. It can also be a slightly different color from the surrounding water.
   • Be particularly careful at low tide and high waves, but note that tidal currents can occur at any time.
2. Get out of shallow water if you feel a rip current. If you feel a strong pull in shallow water, get out. A rip current is difficult to fight once you are chest deep in the water. If the water reaches your waist or higher, you can probably walk to the bank (or sideways) as long as you stay upright.
3. Stay calm. If you find yourself in a rip-stream, don't panic: you need a clear head to escape. Know that a rip current doesn't drag you underwater, even if it feels like it when a wave hits you. Tidal currents and rip currents only pull you straight out to sea. Good swimmers are not in immediate danger of drowning unless they try to swim against the current and exhaust themselves.
4. Call for help if you are a bad swimmer. Mouse currents are especially dangerous for people who cannot swim properly. If you think you won't be able to make it to shore, get the attention of a lifeguard or other beachgoers by waving your arms and yelling for help.
   • Trying to save someone by swimming in a rip current is very dangerous. People on the shore should instead throw you a floating object to hold on to.
5. Swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Most rip currents are less than 10 meters wide, although they can reach 30-60 meters wide. Instead of trying to swim against the current - which is much stronger than you are - swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current's path. The rip current will take you further from shore as you swim, but don't panic. This is not a foolproof method, but it is a good option for a strong swimmer. If possible, look for these clues before choosing a direction:
   • The sea current, parallel to the beach, is often strong enough to push you back into the rip current if you try to swim against it. Check the direction of the current along the beach by asking the lifeguard or by paying attention to the angle of the waves on the beach.
   • Rip currents often form around jetties and other structures perpendicular to the beach. If you are near any of these structures, swim away from them.
   • Swim towards the nearest breaking waves. These mark the edge of the current mouse current.
6. Save your energy when needed. If you don't progress by swimming, or get tired, save your energy. Float or tread water on your back instead of fighting the current. Once you get past the breaking waves, the rip current will slow down and spread into multiple branches that get weaker and weaker. If you run out of energy to swim back to shore, stay afloat and relax until you're ready to start. Keep trying to get people's attention if they are present.
   • Most rip currents disappear or eventually become weak enough to escape shortly after the breaking waves. In extreme cases, a rip current can extend up to 300 meters offshore.
   • Recent research suggests that many rip currents eventually return to shore, if you can stay afloat for a few minutes. This is still controversial, but could be your best chance of survival if you are not a good swimmer.
7. Swim diagonally to the shore. Once you are out of the stream, either because you swam out of the side of the stream or because the current has weakened enough, swim back to shore. Swimming diagonally away from the current rip current minimizes the chance that you will re-enter it. You may be some distance from the bank at this point, so stop and float from time to time if you need to rest.

Tips

• Despite the commonly used name "undercurrent," rip currents drag people out to sea, but not underwater. In fact, there is not a single current that drags you underwater from the beach. A series of waves hitting you close to shore can make you feel like you're submerged, but you don't have to wrestle your way up. Concentrate on staying afloat or getting back up.
• Never swim alone.
• Don't be ashamed to ask for help. If you're unsure how to respond while you're in a rip-off and a lifeguard is nearby, wave for help. Lifeguards are experienced and trained to deal with rip currents and are there to assist you.
• Mouse flows deserve respect, but they are not a death sentence. Lifeguards sometimes deliberately jump into such a current to quickly reach someone just outside the surf and surfers find them useful because they can easily catch waves with them. Lifeguards and surfers are of course very adept swimmers and have experience swimming in the sea, so it is unwise for most of us to deliberately swim in a rip tide. That said, if you get sucked into it, keep calm.
• Technically, the term "tidal current" refers to a similar fast, narrow current towards the sea that occurs at low tide. This is much more powerful than a rip current, but only happens at inlets or other narrow waterways. These areas are not intended for swimmers because of the danger.
• Before you enter the water, you must first read the latest news about the conditions on and along the beach. Search online with a mobile for the weather forecast for the area, and pay attention to any warnings about observed rip currents, the likelihood of such currents forming, warnings for high waves, strong wind / waves and dangerous currents through structures such as quays.

Warnings

• Never swim against the current. The current is always stronger and will eventually wear you out, which can cause you to drown.
• Some rip currents run parallel to the beach instead of directly to the sea. Watch the beach to find out which way you are going.
• If possible, stay out of rip currents. Heed all warning signs and flags. When on vacation, always make sure that other people are swimming on the same beach as you. If not, it may be known among the locals as a dangerous beach.
• Even if the current turns back to shore, it can "spit" you out on the seafront, or drag you into the current several times. If you try the "float and wait" approach, be aware of the possibility of finding an exit (perpendicular to the current) as soon as you are near the shore. Once you are in shallow water, try to stand up again.