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National Weather Service Advises Caution At Area Beaches This Weekend

By  //  May 23, 2015

How to Avoid Getting Caught in a Rip Current

Northeast winds will pick up a tad today behind a weak frontal boundary, this will start to elevate the surf zone danger. Then on Sunday and Monday, a freshening easterly breeze will produce quite choppy surf and an increased rip current risk. Remember that nearly 100 percent of rip current drowning victims chose to swim away from crowds (and where there were NO lifeguards).
Northeast winds will pick up a tad today behind a weak frontal boundary, this will start to elevate the surf zone danger. Then on Sunday and Monday, a freshening easterly breeze will produce quite choppy surf and an increased rip current risk. Remember that nearly 100 percent of rip current drowning victims chose to swim away from crowds – and where there were NO lifeguards. (NWS image)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Northeast winds will pick up a tad today behind a weak frontal boundary, this will start to elevate the surf zone danger.

Then on Sunday and Monday, a freshening easterly breeze will produce quite choppy surf and an increased rip current risk.

Remember that nearly 100 percent of rip current drowning victims chose to swim away from crowds – and where there were NO lifeguards.

How to Avoid Getting Caught in a Rip Current

  • Check water conditions before going in by looking at the local beach forecast before you leave for the beach and talking to the lifeguard at the beach.
  • Only swim at a beach with lifeguards. The chances of drowning at a beach with lifeguards are 1 in 18 million (U.S. Lifesaving Association).
  • Don’t assume! Great weather for the beach does not always mean it’s safe to swim or even play in the shallows. Rip currents often form on calm, sunny days.
  • Learn how to spot a rip current. The Break the Grip of the Rip free online training will help you learn how to spot a rip current.
  • What are scientists doing to keep swimmers safer? Find out in this video: Predict the Rip
  • Rip currents aren’t the only deadly beach hazard. Learn more about dangerous waves and other hazards and why you should never to turn your back on the ocean.