Show All Answers

1. What is a rip current?

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the beach. Rip currents typically extend from the shoreline through the surf zone and out past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur anywhere and are common in South Florida.

2. Are rip currents dangerous?

Extremely, rip currents can kill. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths related to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100 people. Rip currents account for more than 80 percent of the rescues performed by lifeguards stationed on the beach.

3. What can I do?

The greatest safety precaution you can take is to recognize the danger rip currents pose to swimmers. Lifeguard experts urge people to only swim at beaches staffed with lifeguards. The USLA has calculated the odds of a person drowning while swimming at a beach protected by USLA-affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million.

The Town's Volunteer Fire Department established a Beach Safety Patrol in October 2008. However, Beach Safety Patrol members are not lifeguards, and they have not received training to make ocean rescues!

4. Can I check on rip current conditions beforehand?

Yes. A daily rip current outlook is posted online by the National Weather Service. When you reach the NOAA Surf Zone Forecast page, look under Atlantic and click Miami. Note: Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is included in the Coastal Broward forecast.