Life Saving Tips on Rip Currents

It's still early in the season and already there have been numerous tragedies due to rip currents. If you swim in the ocean this is a must read.

If you didn't grow up at the Shore, you've probably spent many summers on the beach and in the water. I practically grew up at the beach. My family and I would be in Seaside Park and in the ocean most everyday. I was taught water safety "basics," never went out too far and was always in the lifeguard's view. I can still hear the whistles when I was way too far out.

Luckily, I was never caught in a rip current or rip tide. But, I've known many people who have and they are lucky they are alive. It's important that we are all well informed.

A rip current, commonly referred to simply as a rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line. They can occur at any beach with breaking waves.