Stinging jellyfish, rays with their whip-like tails and sharks on the hunt are some ocean hazards that might typically worry beachgoers. But rip currents are the greatest danger and account for the most beach rescues every year.
This image provided by NOAA, pictures a harmless green dye used to show a rip current. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes. About 100 people drown from rip currents along U.S. beaches each year, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association.
It’s nearly impossible to fight the current directly. Many swimmers who get in trouble tire themselves out trying to get back to the beach, lifeguards say. If possible, it’s best to swim near a lifeguard station. Three flags warn of surf and rip current conditions. Red means a high hazard, yellow means a moderate threat and green means low danger. There’s also purple for dangerous sea life, like jellyfish, and double red when a beach is closed for any reason.
“Before this, forecasters were manually predicting rip currents on a large section of the ocean twice a day and only a day or two into the future. The earlier prediction has potential to substantially increase awareness and reduce drownings,” said Gregory Dusek, a NOAA scientist who developed the model, in a post on the agency’s website.Should someone attempt a rip current rescue?
Coastlines And Beaches General News FL State Wire Florida Alabama A U.S. News N Sharks Oceans
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
14 things you need to pack for a Disney trip, and 7 things you better skipLet's be honest, when you're running through Disney parks and traversing huge crowds, you'll want to be as streamlined as possible. So, here's a list of the things you'll want with you and the ones you can most certainly do without
Read more »
25 Things To Help You Get Fit While Getting Things DoneYou've reached peak multitasking.
Read more »
7 things I love about the new 2024 Frame TV (and 3 things I hate)Discover what makes the newly updated 2024 version of Samsung's Frame smart TV a great choice for most homes.
Read more »
Honoring fathers, emancipation, and the patriotism and sacrifice of the men of D-DayWhen June rolls around, it means some good things and other things we should not forget.
Read more »
How to Keep Your COPD Under Control, Even When Life Is ChangingThings like a new job, moving, and health-insurance changes can throw things out of whack.
Read more »
European ‘far right’ issues a stinging rebuke to elitesThe gains for “far-right” parties may not change European Union policies much, but they’re likely to affect politically responsible national leaders.
Read more »