Surf safety
Spotting a rip current
Look out for:
- Discoloured, brown water caused by sand being stirred up from
the seabed.
- Foam on the water’s surface.
- A break in the surf line where the waves are not as big.
- Debris floating out to sea.
- A rippled patch of sea, where the water around is generally
calm.
Rip currents
Rips are strong currents running out to sea that can easily take
swimmers from shallow water out beyond their depth. They are
particularly powerful in larger surf, but can also be found around
river mouths, estuaries and man-made structures like piers.
Remember!
Try not to panic if you enter a rip current, it will only make
you more tired and reduce your ability to reach safety.
Contact
To find out more visit: www.rnli.org.uk/beachsafety
/ tel: 0800 328 0600