What should you do if you get caught in a rip current while swimming?

A rip current is a narrow, fast-moving channel of water flowing away from the beach. It can move faster than an Olympic swimmer and can quickly carry you away from shore. Rip currents do not pull you under the water; they pull you out. The key to surviving one is to stay calm, conserve energy, and move sideways rather than fighting straight back to the beach.

Emergency warning

If you are in danger, call local emergency services immediately. If you are struggling in the water, signal for help by raising one arm and shouting. If you see someone else caught in a rip current, do not swim out to rescue them unless you are a trained lifeguard with a float. Call for help and throw them something that floats.

What to do first

1. Do not panic. A rip current will not pull you under. It will carry you out, but you can escape it.
2. Do not swim straight back to shore. Swimming against the current tires you out and makes it harder to stay afloat.
3. Swim parallel to the beach. Rip currents are usually narrow. Swim sideways (parallel to the shoreline) until you feel the current weaken, then swim at an angle back to shore.
4. If you cannot swim out of it, float. Lie on your back, keep your head above water, and let the current carry you. It will usually dissipate beyond the surf zone. Then swim parallel to shore and back in.
5. Signal for help. Raise one arm and call out. If a lifeguard is present, they will see you.

What NOT to do

• Do not try to swim directly against the current back to the beach.
• Do not exhaust yourself by thrashing or fighting the water.
• Do not assume you can outswim it because you are a strong swimmer.
• Do not enter the water to rescue someone else unless you are trained and have a float. Many drownings happen when would-be rescuers are caught too.

When to call for help

Call emergency services if someone is missing, unconscious, or unable to get out of the water. If a lifeguard is on duty, alert them immediately. If you are unsure whether someone is in trouble, it is always safer to call for help.

What to monitor

After you are out of the water, watch for signs of exhaustion, difficulty breathing, or coughing up foam. If you inhaled water or feel unwell, seek medical attention. If you helped someone else, keep them calm and monitor their breathing until help arrives.

How to prevent it

• Swim at a beach with lifeguards on duty.
• Check local beach forecasts and rip current warnings before entering the water.
• Learn to identify rip currents: darker, calmer gaps between waves, or a line of foam or debris moving away from shore.
• Never swim alone.
• If in doubt, stay out of the water.

Rip currents are a leading hazard at surf beaches, but they are survivable if you stay calm and move sideways. If you are caught, remember: do not fight the current. Swim parallel, float if needed, and signal for help. This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency services immediately.