{"id":1784,"date":"2014-05-19T18:09:49","date_gmt":"2014-05-19T22:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?post_type=news&p=1784"},"modified":"2023-12-11T12:57:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T17:57:11","slug":"beach-season-to-focus-on-rip-current-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/beach-season-to-focus-on-rip-current-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach Season to Focus on Rip Current Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/h3>\n

Contact:<\/em>
Katie Mosher, 919-270-4962, kmosher@ncsu.edu<\/a>
<\/em><\/p>\n

Posted Monday, May 19, 2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\"rip_signs\"
This poster is available as a download. See download link in the news release.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Memorial Day approaches, a busy beach season is on the horizon. So, too, is National Rip Current Awareness Week<\/a> that kicks off June 1 and runs through June 7.<\/p>\n

Designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association<\/a> and the U.S. Lifesaving Association<\/a>, the week promotes educational programs about rip currents \u2014 and how to stay safe while enjoying our beautiful beaches. Partners in North Carolina include local lifeguards, North Carolina Sea Grant<\/a>, National Weather Service<\/a> forecast offices and beach communities.<\/p>\n

Steven Pfaff of the NWS Wilmington office<\/a> reports at least seven fatalities were due to rip currents along the North Carolina coast in 2013. Since 2000, NWS has identified a total of at least 56 rip current deaths in the state. USLA notes that about 80 percent of all ocean rescues are related to rip currents.<\/p>\n

A rip current is a strong current that moves away from the shore. Rip currents can often be identified as a flat spot between breaking waves that can last minutes or months. Here are some safety tips:<\/p>\n