Dossier
United States Lifesaving Association
Coverage of United States Lifesaving Association in the Nexus archive.
- When a rip current sucks you out to sea, try not to panic
Rip currents account for most beach rescues and drownings in the U.S., with 21 deaths already this year. Experts advise staying calm, flipping onto one’s back to float, and signaling for help instead of fighting the current. Beach flags indicate rip current risks, with red for high danger and green for low danger.
- When a rip current sucks you out to sea, try not to panic
Rip currents are a major coastal hazard, causing over 100 drownings annually in the U.S. and accounting for 80% of beach rescues. Experts advise staying calm, flipping onto one’s back to float, and avoiding direct struggle against the current. Warning flags and weather service alerts help identify rip current risks.