What are rip currents and why are they so dangerous?
Rip currents, or rips, can be found on any beach with waves breaking across a surf zone. They are global phenomena and can occur on ocean beaches, inland seas and other large water bodies such as the Great Lakes of the United States and Canada.
Rip Currents Explained
Put simply rip currents are strong, narrow, seaward flowing currents that extend from the shoreline out beyond the breaking waves. They exist as a way to bring water brought to the beach by breaking waves, back offshore.
Professor Rob Brander talks about Rip Current myths
Coastal Scientist Rob Brander explains rip currents from the documentary Rip Current Heroes
Rip of the Month
Since 2009 Dr Rob brander has been collating amazing images of rip currents on beaches throughout the world.
Containing over 150 images, Dr Brander’s Rip of the Month photo series is the largest of its kind.
Rip currents are the number one beach hazard on the world’s beaches
Rip currents can flow very quickly offshore and can easily carry swimmers of all abilities into deeper water. If a swimmer panics, exhaustion can quickly follow, leading to tragedy. When fatigued, even a good swimmer can drown in as little as two minutes.
Every year rip currents are responsible for hundreds of drownings on beaches worldwide. In the United States rip currents claim approximately one hundred lives per year. In Australia, rip currents claim on average 21 lives each year, which is more than the average yearly fatalities caused by bushfires, cyclones, floods and sharks combined.
It’s estimated that up to 80% of all beach rescues performed by lifeguards around the world are because of rip currents. That’s tens of thousands of people being pulled from the water every summer.
Nearly all global rip current drowning’s occur on beaches that aren’t patrolled by lifeguards
Rip current incidents are avoidable. If you don't get in a rip current, you won't drown in one. Avoiding rip currents starts with always swimming in the presence of lifeguards, but it is also vitally important to understand more about how these currents operate, how to recognise them and what to do if you find yourself caught in the grip of a rip.
