The National Weather Service has issued a high rip current risk advisory in effect from now until at least Thursday, July 22nd. To read the complete report, please click here.
As there have been two recent deaths in Venice due in part to rip currents, we recommend reading the National Weather Service Rip Current Safety Tips and also checking out this informative video done by The University of New South Wales. (Even if you think you know everything abut rips, we recommend watching this video as a refresher.) Stay safe people!
If caught in a rip current:
* Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
* Never fight against the current.
* Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
* Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle–away from the current–towards shore.
* If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
* If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.
If you see someone in trouble, don’t become a victim too:
* Get help from a lifeguard.
* If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
* Throw the rip current victim something that floats–a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
* Yell instructions on how to escape.
* Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
When at the beach:
* Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
* Never swim alone.
* Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
* Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
* Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
* Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along side these structures.
* Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
* Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
