Children and adults alike enjoy wading out to shallow sandbars that form in lakes and oceans and splashing in the waves. While in the water, beach-goers should avoid rip currents and know what to do if caught in one.
An ever-present danger, rip currents cause approximately 100 drowning deaths each year when they pull swimmers out to sea. Rescuers also have drowned when trying to help another person caught in a rip current.
Rip currents occur when a small channel opening forms in a sandbar near the shoreline, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Water that has dammed up by the sandbar flows forcefully back out to sea through the opening and can pull even the strongest swimmers out.
Swimmers caught in rip currents should never try to swim against the current back toward the shoreline. Instead, NOAA suggests swimming parallel to the shore to escape the current before heading back toward land.
The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to never let down their guard when swimming with children. Parents and children should heed all safety warnings on the beach and stay within the designated swimming areas, preferably in sight of a lifeguard.
Find more swimming safety tips at http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/31/7/31-e.
© 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics. This information may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.
