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A rip current (or just rip) is a specific type of water current that can occur near beaches where waves break. A rip is a strong, localized, and narrow current of water that moves directly away from the shore by cutting through the lines of breaking waves, like a river flowing out to sea.
Rip currents can flow quickly, are unpredictable, and come about from what happens to waves as they interact with the shape of the sea bed. In contrast, a rip tide is caused by tidal movements, as opposed to wave action, and is a predictable rise and fall of the water level. [3] The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ...
Rip currents: These are narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from shore. Undertow: This is the general return flow of water towards the ocean floor after a wave breaks.
Here are some things to know about rip currents: What is a rip current? Rip currents are narrow columns of water flowing rapidly away from the beach, like a swift stream within the ocean. They don't pull swimmers under water, but can carry them out a fair distance from shore. Low spots along the beach, or areas near jetties or piers, are often ...
A rip current is a horizontal current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water—they pull people away from shore. Drowning deaths occur when people pulled offshore are unable to keep themselves afloat and swim to shore. This may be due to any combination of fear, panic, exhaustion, or lack of swimming skills.
A rip current is a fast-flowing channel of water, moving from close to the shoreline and into the ocean past the breaking waves, according to the National Weather Service.
In the United States, rip currents claim about 100 lives annually. Skip to main content. Sign in. Mail. 24/7 Help. For premium support please call: 800-290-4726 more ways to reach ...
One of those dangers is rip currents. According to the National Weather Service, rip currents are the third leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. since 2013 — surpassing both ...