With Hurricane Earl expected to pass along the Atlantic Coast of Virginia, the Coast Guard is stressing the importance of safety for swimmers during the hurricane season.
Hurricanes can create dangers in the water, such as rip currents and large waves. Rip currents and undertows can drag swimmers away from their boat or the beach and lead to death by drowning when they attempt to fight the current and become exhausted.
According to the United States Lifesaving Association, rip currents cause approximately 100 deaths annually in the United States – more than all other natural hazards except heat and floods. More than 80 percent of rescues by beach lifeguards are due to rip currents, totaling 18,000 lifeguard rescues a year.
Tips for swimmers on how to avoid and survive rip currents:
Never swim alone.
Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim toward shore or a boat.
If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore or a boat.
If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore or boat, waving your arms, and yelling for help.
If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
for more information, visit: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov
source: USCG press release
