As the East Coast experienced a wave of rip current rescues last week, an expert offered advice on how to ensure safety while visiting the beach during the 4th of July weekend.
According to the Asbury Park Press, over 100 rescues took place along various beaches on the Jersey Shore since Sunday, primarily due to rip currents. In Wilmington, North Carolina, WAVY reported that 10 individuals needed rescuing on Saturday under similar circumstances.
Belmar, New Jersey lifeguard Harry Harsin said Sunday was one of the busiest days he’s seen on the job.
“The ocean conditions were challenging,” Harsin remarked. “With the heat and a slower start to the summer season, people were eager to head to the beach. It was incredibly busy, almost chaotic.”
A no swimming flag as the waves crash against rocks at the Haulover Beach Park on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Miami Beach, Florida. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
As far as rip currents, Fahringer said it’s important for people to “learn your beach.”
“You know, there’s certain beaches where very seldom do you ever see a rip current. There’s other beaches, especially on the East coast, where the water is more aggressive, where it’s pretty common,” Fahringer said. “So know your beach, know what it looks like, and be aware if you’re almost something out there floating or swimming or something, and you realize, gee, I wasn’t really this far out a minute ago, or you start swimming in and you realize you’re not getting anywhere.”
Swimmer should know their beach and the conditions in the water, one expert said. (AP Photo/Mingson Lau)
In these situations, Fahringer said it’s important not to panic and to “swim 90 degrees to either side slowly, just dog paddle, doesn’t matter.”
“Just get out of that rip current. They’re not usually that wide where you can get yourself out of it and then get yourself back in to the shore,” he said.
