Swimmers, be wary of rip currents

Nationwide, it's estimated that 100 people drown from rip currents every year, and it's NOT JUST IN THE OCEAN. It can also happen in the Great Lakes. Before moving here to beautiful Savannah, I worked in Michigan. And there is one event I will never forget.

By: Kris Allred | WSAV-TV
Published: July 25, 2009 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Nationwide, it's estimated that 100 people drown from rip currents every year, and it's NOT JUST IN THE OCEAN.

It can also happen in the Great Lakes.

Before moving here to beautiful Savannah, I worked in Michigan. And there is one event I will never forget.

On July 4, 2003, in a narrow stretch of southern Lake Michigan, seven people were killed by rip currents. Surprised? Well, experts say steeper beaches and reshuffled sand bars can add up to surprises for swimmers. Not only that...in some cases, water safety experts say the Great Lakes can be even more dangerous than the ocean because they can have the same strength plus it's harder to float in fresh water.

Rip currents are like underwater rivers near the shoreline that can pull you out.

If you get caught in one, experts say you must relax and stay calm, and you don't try to swim against it.

Relax? It's eastier said than done for most of us. But you have to try. You should go with current and then swim to the side of it--or--parallel to the beach. This will save your energy so you can swim when the rip current passes.

Also, make sure you only swim where life guards are present. And don't swim alone.