Did you know you there were six surf and four rip current fatalities in Texas in 2018 alone? According to the United States life-saving association, over 100 people die due to rip current related incidents. We know how fun it is to hang out with friends and family at the beach during the summer scorching heat, but we mustn’t forget to stay safe when having fun. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have pinpointed Padre Island, Galveston beach and Horace Caldwell Pier as the beaches with the highest possibility of experiencing rip waves. In this article, we will be giving you little tips on how to avoid rip currents on beaches in Texas.
What are rip currents?
If you’re trying to avoid rip currents you must know what rip currents are and how it is caused. Rip currents are powerful waves of water flowing away from shore. They are usually strongest near the surface of the water. Rip current can be very risky for swimmers in the water who don’t know how to navigate this occurrence.
Rip currents are caused by strong winds and breaking waves pushing water towards dry and causing the water level to rise at the shoreline.
Knowing how to navigate rip currents is essential for all beach lovers, but there is a better idea; avoiding them. We will give you some time on how to avoid rip currents in the next section of the article.
How to avoid rip currents in Texas
Always check the weather and water conditions before going to the beach and jumping into the water. You should try to check the Texas local beach forecast and also have a little chat with any available lifeguard to know the water conditions before taking a dip.
You must know how to spot a rip current, it might save your life. If you know how to spot a rip current, then you’ll know how to navigate one.
Keep yourself informed! Like we stated earlier in the article NOAA pinpointed the beaches with higher chances of experiencing rip currents. When you’re swimming in these beaches, always take precautionary measures.
Always swim in beaches with lifeguards. It is rare to drown in beaches with functional lifeguards. A 1 in 18 million chance of you getting drowned.
Never swim alone! This is one unwritten rule for every beach swimmer. Your chances of surviving a rip current increases when you have a swimming partner.
Rip currents are dangerous and you don’t want a summer of laughter turning into one of sorrow. Knowing how to avoid rip currents can make your summer experience more fun and safe in a beautiful state like Texas.
