INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Today marks South Florida’s “Marine Hazards and Rip Current Awareness Day,” part of the 2014 Severe Weather Awareness Week, according to the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
According to the bulletin, rip currents, commonly referred to as rip tides or undertows by the general public, have claimed at least 94 lives along the south-central coast of Florida in the last 25 years.
Last year, a total of six deaths and 21 hospitalizations occurred as a result of rip currents.
Rip currents, usually between ten to 30 yards in width, are very hard to detect until swimmers are already caught in them. They often occur when the weather is otherwise nice and clear. Many swimmer casualties occur when a person gets caught in the rip current and tries to swim directly toward the shore in order to escape. It is virtually impossible to escape the grasp of a rip current in this manner.
Instead, swimmers should “wade or swim sideways across the current and parallel to the shore. Another method of escape is to float with the current out a short distance beyond the breakers, then swim shoreward at an angle away from the current,” according to sponsoring organizations.
Beach goers are advised to swim at beaches manned by trained lifeguards to increase chances of being saved from one of these deadly currents.
The Indian River County Emergency Services Department is also taking the day to remind boaters to practice safe habits.
Strong wind gusts, heavy rains and thunderstorms have a history of capsizing boats in the area, and boats on the inner lakes, canals and rivers are not immune.
Marine hazards and rip currents will claim less lives if the community continually makes it a priority to stay safe in Southern Florida’s waters.
