Social Media: Rip Currents/Beach Hazards
#WeatherReady

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Weather-Ready for the Beach?

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You’re ready for the beach, but are you Weather-Ready? Be prepared for, and know how to react to, weather and water hazards such as rip currents & dangerous waves, excessive heat, and lightning. weather.gov

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You’re ready for the beach, but are you #WeatherReady? Be prepared for, and know how to react to, weather and water hazards such as rip currents & dangerous waves, excessive heat, and lightning. weather.gov

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Rip Current Safety

Break the Grip of the Rip!

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The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) estimates that over 100 people die each year due to rip currents in the US. Break the Grip of the Rip®! weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

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The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) estimates that over 100 people die each year due to rip currents in the US. Break the Grip of the Rip®! weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #WeatherReady

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Survive a Rip Current

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Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. If at all possible, stay near a lifeguard while swimming. Learn more at: weather.gov/beach

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Rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. If at all possible, stay near a lifeguard while swimming. Learn more at: weather.gov/beach #WeatherReady

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Don’t Put Yourself at Risk

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If someone is caught in a rip current, help them without putting yourself at risk. Seek help from a lifeguard or use a floatation device if you go in the water. Learn more at: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

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If someone is caught in a rip current, help them without putting yourself at risk. Seek help from a lifeguard or use a floatation device if you go in the water. Learn more at: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #WeatherReady

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Your Safe Place from Rip Currents

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Rip currents kill over 100 beachgoers in the U.S. each year. When visiting the ocean, you are safest at beaches with lifeguards. Stay Weather-Ready and learn more about rip current safety at weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

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Rip currents kill over 100 beachgoers in the U.S. each year. When visiting the ocean, you are safest at beaches with lifeguards. Stay #WeatherReady and learn more about rip current safety at weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

Your safe place from rip currents: rip currents kill over 100 beach-goers in the U.S. each year. When visiting the ocean, you are safest at beaches with lifeguards. If rip currents are forecasted for the beach you're visiting, stay out of the water!

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Spring Break: Rip Currents

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This Spring Break, stay safe by knowing how to escape rip currents. For more info, visit: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

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This Spring Break, stay safe by knowing how to escape rip currents. For more info, visit: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #WeatherReady

Spring Break - Escaping Rip Currents. Stay calm and don't swim against the current. Swim in a direction following the shoreline, then at an angle toward the beach. If you need help, call or wave for assistance.

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Survivor Story: Rip Current

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“Then I realized the ocean was gonna win.”
Luckily, Jake remembered to “swim parallel to the shoreline” -- the most important safety tip for escaping and surviving a rip current. Learn more at weather.gov/ripcurrent

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“Then I realized the ocean was gonna win.”
Luckily, Jake remembered to “swim parallel to the shoreline” -- the most important safety tip for escaping and surviving a rip current. Learn more at weather.gov/ripcurrent #WeatherReady

Now I'm an 18 year old guy, about 6 foot and I'm a decent swimmer, but before I knew it the water was up to my head and I was starting to tread water. At first I thought I could just swim straight out of it. Then I realized the ocean was gonna win. I then tried to stay calm and I knew to not swim against it, but to swim parallel to the shoreline. Quote from Jake, Nags Head, North Carolina.

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What are Rip Currents?

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Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water in the surf zone that move quickly away from shore. Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second (or 5 mph!), rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer. https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentscience/welcome.html #RipCurrentScience #SummerSafety

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Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches and can reach speeds of 8 feet per second! #WeatherReady https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentscience/welcome.html

What Are Rip Currents? Narrow currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. Commonly form around breaks in sandbars, and also near structures, such as jetties and piers. Moves at speeds of 1-2 feet per second, but have been measured as fast as 8 feet per second.

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Distant Hurricanes Can Be Deadly

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Hurricanes that are far away can still create deadly rip currents and waves. Never assume that the ocean is safe, even if the weather is nice. Check the forecast before you go.

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Hurricanes that are far away can still create deadly rip currents and waves. Check the forecast before you go to the beach. weather.gov/beach #WeatherReady

Distant hurricanes can be deadly. Hurricanes that are far away can still create deadly rip currents and waves. Never assume that the ocean is safe, even if the weather is nice. For maximum safety, swim near a lifeguard. Check the forecast before you go.

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Water Safety

Shallow Water

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The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) advises beachgoers to enter the water feet first. The USLA says, “serious, lifelong injuries, including paralysis, occur every year due to diving headfirst into unknown water and striking the bottom.” Check for depth and obstructions before diving. weather.gov/safety/beachhazards
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To avoid injuries at the beach, always enter the water feet first.weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #WeatherReady

Never dive into shallow water. Always enter the water feet first. Serious injury can occur from diving head first into water. Check the water for depth and obstructions.

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Stay Dry When Waves are High

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Stay Dry When the Waves Are High! Crashing waves can be beautiful to look at, but it’s easy to underestimate their power. Stay aware of your surroundings along the shore, as waves can quickly catch you off guard. weather.gov/safety/beachazards

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Stay Dry When the Waves Are High! Crashing waves can be beautiful to look at, but it’s easy to underestimate their power. Stay aware of your surroundings along the shore, as waves can quickly catch you off guard. weather.gov/safety/beachazards #WeatherReady

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Swimming With No Lifeguard

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Not all beaches have lifeguards. The chance of drowning at a beach is five times greater when no lifeguard is on duty. Here are some helpful tips for going swimming when there is no lifeguard. weather.gov/beach

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Not all beaches have lifeguards. The chance of drowning at a beach is five times greater when no lifeguard is on duty. Here are some helpful tips for going swimming when there is no lifeguard. weather.gov/beach

Swimming With No Lifeguard

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Only Swim at a Beach with Lifeguards

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Did you know that the chance of drowning at a beach with on-duty lifeguards is 1 in 18 million? Swim at a beach only when there is an on-duty lifeguard. weather.gov/safety/beachhazards

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Did you know the chance of drowning at a beach with on-duty lifeguards is 1 in 18 million? Swim at a beach only when there is an on-duty lifeguard. weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #WeatherReady

Swimming With No Lifeguard

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Helping Others: Beach Hazards

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At the beach, remaining vigilant and knowing when to speak up can save someone’s life.
If you meet someone from out of town, let them know about the dangers of rip currents and other beach hazards.
If someone is waving or yelling for you: don’t panic, take 10 seconds to assess the situation, then immediately alert a lifeguard. While help is coming, see if there’s a floatation device you can throw to them. Don’t attempt a rescue on your own.
weather.gov/safety/beach

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At the beach, remaining vigilant and knowing when to speak up can save someone’s life. #WeatherReady
weather.gov/safety/beach

Helping Others: Beach Hazards. Educate people who aren't familiar with beach hazards. If someone is calling for help, take 10 seconds to assess the situation, then alert a lifeguard. While is coming, see if there's a floatation device to throw their way.

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Spring Break: Beach Safety

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Stay safe this Spring Break with these beach safety tips! More info here: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-beach

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Stay safe this Spring Break with these beach safety tips! More info here: weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent-beach #WeatherReady

Spring Break - Beach Safety. Only swim at beaches with lifeguards. Know how to swim. Never swim alone. If in doubt, don't go out.

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Wave Safe video series

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From New Jersey to American Samoa, we have some of the most amazing beaches in the world. This Wave Safe video series from Ocean Today visits the country's favorite shores to teach you about the unique waves and weather at each location.
oceantoday.noaa.gov/every-full-moon/episode15-wavesafe/

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From New Jersey to American Samoa, we have some of the most amazing beaches in the world. NOAA’s Wave Safe video series visits the country's favorite shores to keep you #WeatherReady at each location.
oceantoday.noaa.gov/every-full-moon/episode15-wavesafe/

Wave Safe: Let's Get Started!

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Warm Air, Cold Water

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Warm days don’t always mean warm water, especially in the spring. Take precautions when going out on the water.
http://weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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Warm days don’t always mean warm water, especially in the spring. Take precautions when going out on the water.
http://weather.gov/safety/coldwater #WeatherReady

Even when the air is hot, water can be cold! Always wear a life vest. Even experienced swimmers can lose muscle control. Cold water can kill.

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Prepare for Cold Water

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Planning an outing on cold water? Be prepared for the possibility of sudden immersion into cold water, even if the air is warm. Cold water can kill.
http://weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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Planning an outing on cold water? Be prepared for the possibility of sudden immersion into cold water, even if the air is warm. Cold water can kill.
http://weather.gov/safety/coldwater #WeatherReady

Be prepared for cold water. Even if it feels warm outside, rivers, lakes, and streams can still be cold and running fast. Always wear your life vest and consider cold water protection gear. Cold water can kill.

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Cold Water - Life Jacket

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Wearing a life jacket significantly increases chances of survival during an unexpected immersion into cold water.weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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Wearing a life jacket significantly increases chances of survival during an unexpected immersion into cold water. weather.gov/safety/coldwater #WeatherReady

Cold Water Fact: wearing a life jacket significantly increases chances of survival.

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Cold Water – Muscle Impacts

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Even strong swimmers face danger in cold water.weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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Even strong swimmers face danger in cold water.weather.gov/safety/coldwater #WeatherReady

Cold Water Fact: Strong Swimmers will lose muscle control in about 10 minutes in cold water.

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Sun Safety

UV Protection

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The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Follow these recommendations from the CDC to help protect yourself and your family: cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm

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The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Follow these recommendations from @CDCgov to help protect yourself and your family: cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
Even when it’s sunny, you’ve gotta be #WeatherReady!

Protect All The Skin You're In. Use a layered approach for Sun Protection. Sunscreen works best when used with shade or clothes, and it must be re-applied every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to protect exposed skin. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing to shield skin. Seek shade, especially during midday hours.

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Sunburn Safety

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Spending time in the sun on vacation this spring? Apply plenty of sunscreen! Also, keep in mind that heat-related illness is a possibility if you don’t take certain precautions. Find out more about heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them at weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

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Spending time in the sun? Apply sunscreen and avoid heat-related illness: weather.gov/safety/heat-illness

Don't forget the sunscreen! Use SPF 30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Spend time in the shade and wear light, loose-fitting clothes for maximum protection.

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Protect Yourself

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When outdoors in the heat, wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. If you will be spending time outdoors, hats are also a good idea to protect your face and scalp from harmful UV rays. Also, don’t forget to apply sunscreen liberally. weather.gov/safety/heat

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Protect yourself when outdoors in the heat. weather.gov/safety/heat

Protect yourself from heat and sun. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Beverages with electrolytes can also help protect against heat stress. Apply sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher, every two hours. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Take regular breaks in the shade.

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