Weather-Ready Nation

National Program

Spring 2019: Rip Currents Social Media

Social Media: Rip Currents/Beach Hazards
#BeachSafety #SpringSafety

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.

Break the Grip of the Rip!
Shallow Water
Cold Water Fact 1
What are Rip Currents?
Stay Dry When Waves Are High
Cold Water Fact 2
Survive a Rip Current
Beach Dangers
Cold Water Fact 3
Only Swim at a Beach with Lifeguards
Sunburn Safety
Protect Yourself
Cold Water Fact 4

Break the Grip of the Rip!

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

Twitter
Every year, over 100 people die from rip currents in the US. Break the Grip of the Rip®! weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. If caught in a rip current: 1. Don't fight the current. 2. Swim out of the current, then to shore. 3. If you can't escape, float or tread water. 4. If you need help, call or wave for assistance.

Shallow Water

Facebook
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 #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
To avoid injuries at the beach, always enter the water feet first.weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

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.

Cold Water Fact 1

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The difference in the air temperature and water temperature can be drastic and deceptive. Be aware of your surroundings, and always wear a life jacket. #WearIt weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

Twitter
The difference in the air temperature and water temperature can be drastic and deceptive. Be aware of your surroundings, and always wear a life jacket. #WearIt weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

Cold Water Fact: roughly 20 percent of those who fall in cold water die in the first minute of immersion due to cold water shock.

What are Rip Currents?

Facebook
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches. Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer. oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentscience/welcome.html #RipCurrentScience

Twitter
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches, and can reach speeds of 8 feet per second! oceantoday.noaa.gov/ripcurrentscience/welcome.html #RipCurrentScience

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.

Stay Dry When Waves Are High

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Plunging waves are the most dangerous type of breaking waves. With a lot of force, they can easily slam your body into the ocean floor. Many spinal and head injuries are caused this way. Surging waves can also be dangerous as they can easily knock both children and adults over as they rush up and back down the beach. Even small waves can be dangerous. Remember, Stay Dry When Waves Are High! weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
Waves can be dangerous. Remember, Stay Dry When Waves Are High! weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

Stay Dry When Waves Are High. Plunging waves can slam you into the ocean floor. Surging waves can easily knock you over. Even small waves can be dangerous.

Cold Water Fact 2

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Even strong swimmers can lose muscle control in about 10 minutes in cold water. The only difference between life and death in cold water may be your life jacket. #WearIt weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

Twitter
Even strong swimmers can lose muscle control in about 10 minutes in cold water. The only difference between life and death in cold water may be your life jacket. #WearIt weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

Cold Water Fact: strong swimmers will lose muscle control in about 10 minutes in cold water.

Survive a Rip Current

Facebook
“What if I'm caught in a rip current?” Stay calm and 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. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, Draw attention to yourself. Call and wave for assistance. weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #SpringSafety #BeachSafety

Twitter
Do you know how to survive a rip current? weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent #SpringSafety #BeachSafety

How to survive a rip current: Don't fight the current. Relax, stay calm and float to conserve energy. Do NOT try to swim directly to shore. Swim along the shoreline until you escape the current's pull. If you feel you can't reach shore, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Beach Dangers

Facebook
Trips to the beach aren't always fun in the sun. From strong rip currents to dangerous marine life, discover the Nine Dangers at the beach. oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/features/july13/beachdangers.html #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

Twitter
Have fun but be safe at the beach! Discover the Nine Dangers at the beach. oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/features/july13/beachdangers.html #BeachSafety #SpringSafety

9 dangers at the beach: Heat and sunburn. Lightning. Rip currents. High surf. Water quality. Jellyfish. Sharks. Harmful Algal Bloom. Tsunamis.

Cold Water Fact 3

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Cold water is VERY efficient at cooling your body temperature to dangerously-low levels. Even though it may be warm outside, the water can be very cold. weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

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Cold water is VERY efficient at cooling your body temperature to dangerously-low levels. Even though it may be warm outside, the water can be very cold. weather.gov/safety/coldwater #SpringSafety

Cold Water Fact: body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air.

Only Swim at a Beach with Lifeguards

Facebook
Only swim at a beach with on-duty lifeguards. The chance of drowning at a beach with lifeguards is 1 in 18 million. weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #SpringSafety #BeachSafety

Twitter
Only swim at a beach with on-duty lifeguards. weather.gov/safety/beachhazards #SpringSafety #BeachSafety

Stay safe this summer. Only swim at a beach with lifeguards.

Sunburn Safety

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Spending time in the sun on vacation this spring and summer? 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/heat #HeatSafety

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

Don't forget the sunscreen (pictured: badly sunburned skin).

Protect Yourself

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When it is hot, wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. Hats are also a good idea to protect your face and scalp from harmful UV rays if you will be spending time directly in the sunshine. And apply sunscreen liberally. weather.gov/heatsafety #HeatSafety #KeepYourCool

Twitter
Find out how to dress for the weather weather.gov/heatsafety #HeatSafety #KeepYourCool

Protect yourself from the HEAT when outside. Drink plenty of water. Apply sunscreen regularly. Dress in lightweight and light-colored clothing. Take breaks in the shade.

Cold Water Fact 4