Lifeguards are warning the public to keep an eye out for this common beach danger. While most people don't know that riptides are Mother Nature's way of letting us know to stay out of the water, there are simple ways that you can spot them.
Each year lifeguards rescue tens of thousands of swimmers from rip currents, while about 100 are killed by them. Recently, a teen and her dad were caught in a riptide and would've drowned if a stranger hadn't saved her.
This week lifeguards in Los Angeles had to perform a blitz rescue off Venice Beach due to strong rip currents. In one day, they had to rescue 400 swimmers. After the tides were spotted, lifeguards acted quickly.
“Within minutes of seeing that, the lifeguards kind of went on high alert and all of a sudden there was probably 10 to 15 lifeguards in the water in two rescue boats,” a witness told KTLA during a phone interview.
There were more people that needed saving than lifeguards, but fortunately no one was hurt. “It was really incredible to see them,” the witness said. “There were three people attached to … one lifeguard.”
Gaps between waves, calm water between waves, and discolored water are the best indicators of riptides. Lifeguards urge swimmers not to go against riptides if they are caught in them. It's best to swim with it, wait for things to settle down, and head back to shore.
See the video below to learn about riptide safety and SHARE to let others know how to stay safe at the beach!
