Dangerous Currents

What to Know

Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.

Rip currents typically form at breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as jetties and piers.

Rip currents are commonly found on all surf beaches, including Great Lakes beaches.

Why are rip currents dangerous?  Rip currents pull people away from shore.

Rip current speeds can vary from moment to moment and can quickly increase to become dangerous to anyone entering the surf.

Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore.

What to Do

Relax, rip currents don’t pull you under.

Don’t swim against the current.

You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach.

You may be able to escape by floating or treading water if the current circulates back toward shore.

If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance.

Don’t become a victim while trying to help someone else! Many people have died trying to rescue rip current victims.

Get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not present, call 9-1-1, then try to direct the victim to swim following the shoreline to escape.

If possible, throw the rip current victim something that floats. â—† Never enter the water without a flotation device.

More information:

• Rip current safety page
• Rip current brochure
• Ocean Today rip current video

Video: What’s a current?

What to Know

Longshore currents are strong flows of water that run along the coastline.

These currents will exert a force that makes it difficult to remain in front of a specific spot on the beach.

Longshore currents can push anyone caught in the current into unsafe places, such as piers and other structures, rocks, or into the path of rip currents flowing from the beach into the ocean.

Children are especially susceptible to these currents.

What to Do

Longshore currents typically will not pull swimmers away from shore, but just along the beach in the direction of the current. Unlike rip currents, longshore currents can be miles long, so the only way to escape them is to swim or walk toward the beach.

When you first enter the water, be mindful of how quickly a current might be pulling you away from where you started.

Since longshore currents often occur in shallow water in many cases, anyone caught in a longshore current can simply walk back to the beach. If you encounter an especially strong longshore current, allow the current to carry you along the beach until you can safely swim or walk toward the beach.

View more information about longshore currents from the National Ocean Service.

What to Know

Tidal currents are caused by the rise and fall of the daily tides.  They can be especially strong near inlets, river mouths, or in estuaries and in places with large changes in the height of the tide.  They are usually not strong at ocean beaches along the open coast.

Tidal currents will change in speed and direction depending on the phase of the tide.  They will increase in speed from near 0 at slack tide to potentially strong currents at maximum ebb (seaward flow) or maximum flood (landward flow).  Maximum ebb and flood are typically about 6 hours apart.

Tidal currents can be further strengthened during periods of increased freshwater input or with strong winds.

What to Do

Don’t swim in or around inlets or river mouths where strong tidal currents can potentially carry swimmers into obstacles or out to sea very quickly.

If you swim in a bay or estuary make sure to understand ocean current patterns in your area.  Review NOAA tidal current predictions to see speeds of tidal currents near you and when they are likely to be especially strong.

Learn more about tides and currents from the National Ocean Service.