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A rip current (or just rip) is a specific type of water current that can occur near beaches where waves break. A rip is a strong, localized, and narrow current of water that moves directly away from the shore by cutting through the lines of breaking waves, like a river flowing out to sea.
A rip tide, or riptide, is a strong offshore current that is caused by the tide pulling water through an inlet along a barrier beach, at a lagoon or inland marina where tide water flows steadily out to sea during ebb tide. It is a strong tidal flow of water within estuaries and other enclosed tidal areas. The riptides become the strongest where ...
A rip current is a horizontal current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water—they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.
Here are some things to know about rip currents: What is a rip current? Rip currents are narrow columns of water flowing rapidly away from the beach, like a swift stream within the ocean. They don't pull swimmers under water, but can carry them out a fair distance from shore. Low spots along the beach, or areas near jetties or piers, are often ...
Rip currents: These are narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from shore. Undertow: This is the general return flow of water towards the ocean floor after a wave breaks. It can feel ...
Rip currents have been measured at speeds of more than 5 miles per hour, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer. They can quickly sweep away even the strongest of swimmers.
One of those dangers is rip currents. According to the National Weather Service, rip currents are the third leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. since 2013 — surpassing both ...
A rip current statement is a warning statement issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is a high threat of rip currents due to weather and ocean conditions. [1] The statement usually contains some detail about when and roughly where the rip currents are most likely to be forming.