National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Weather-Ready Nation

National Program

Spring Social Media: Rip Currents / Beach Safety

Weather.gov > Weather-Ready Nation > Spring Social Media: Rip Currents / Beach Safety

Back to Social Media

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

 

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.

Wave Safe video series

Facebook
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/

Twitter
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!

 

Survivor Story: Rip Current

Facebook
“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

Twitter
“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.

 

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 in the US. Break the Grip of the Rip®! weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent

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

Rip Currents: Know Your Options. If caught in a rip current: 1) Relax, rip currents don't pull you under. 2) Don't swim against the current. 3) Swim out of the current, then to shore. 4) If you can't escape, float or tread water. 5) If you need help, yell or wave for assistance. Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. If at all possible, swim near a lifeguard.

 

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

Twitter
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.

 

Cold Water Fact 1

Facebook
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. weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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 #WeatherReady

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.

 

UV Protection

Facebook
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

Twitter
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.

 

What are Rip Currents?

Facebook
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

Twitter
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.

 

Stay Dry When Waves Are High

Facebook
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

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

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

Facebook
Even strong swimmers can lose muscle control in about 10 minutes in cold water, which may cause them to drown. The only difference between life and death in cold water may be your life jacket. weather.gov/safety/coldwater

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

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. Float to conserve energy. 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

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

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

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

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

Facebook
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

Twitter
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 #WeatherReady

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
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

Twitter
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

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

 

Sunburn Safety

Facebook
Spending time in the sun on vacation this spring and summer? Remember to 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

Twitter
Spending time in the sun? Remember to apply sunscreen and avoid heat-related illness: weather.gov/heat #WeatherReady

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

 

Protect Yourself

Facebook
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

Twitter
Protect yourself from the heat! Here’s how: weather.gov/heatsafety #WeatherReady

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.