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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesThe Pensacola Beach Lifeguards and Escambia County Emergency Management are observing Gulf Coast Rip Current Awareness Week, which takes place Feb. 26-March 1. Gulf Coast Rip Current Awareness Week encourages beachgoers to understand the basics of a rip current, including how to spot a rip current, how to survive a rip current, and understand beach flags and forecasts.
Rip currents are the number one weather-related killer at the beaches along the northern Gulf Coast. Since 2002, the Florida/Alabama panhandle experienced 213 rip current fatalities, according to the National Weather Service.
A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of water flowing away from the beach. Rip currents typically extend from near the shoreline out through the breaker zone where breaking waves form. Rip currents can and do occur on clear, sunny days.
A rip current is not a “rip tide”. A rip current is also not an “undertow”. Rip currents do not pull swimmers under the water. They will just pull a swimmer away from the beach.
Rip currents can travel as fast as eight feet per second. A rip current is dangerous because it can sweep even the strongest swimmers out to sea. For that reason, rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.
"We take a lot of pride in our beaches, and one thing every swimmer needs to be aware of is the presence of rip currents," said Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. "Swimmers need to know that rip currents pull you away from the shore and not underwater. Please do not fight the current, but instead, try to escape the current by swimming at an angle or parallel to the shoreline. If you cannot escape, conserve your energy by floating on your stomach or back. If you need help, call or wave for assistance from a lifeguard. If you are not near the lifeguards, patrons on-shore are encouraged to call 911."
Each day during Gulf Coast Rip Current Awareness Week will focus on a different topic related to rip currents.
Escambia County Emergency Management has produced a short information video regarding Day 1 of Gulf Coast Rip Current Awareness Week, which can be viewed here.
For daily flag conditions and more information about Pensacola Beach Lifeguards, visit the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com or the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook.
Rip current fatality statistics in the Alabama/Florida panhandle
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