Lifeguards urge beachgoers to be careful swimming on Memorial Day
If you're headed to the beach on Memorial Day, officials ask that you practice safe swimming. Monday's rip current risk is high across North Carolina's beaches.
“Swim near a lifeguard. They’re trying to spot rip currents, things like that,” said Sam Proffitt, Captain of Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue. “The novice viewer probably would have a difficult time spotting a rip current.”
In Carolina Beach, officials said they are averaging eight rescues a day -- some of which are related to rip currents.
“One of the main problems that we have is keeping our emergency lanes open where we can travel up and down the beach safely,” said Tony Wallace, Carolina Beach Ocean Rescue captain. “That gives us more speed to get to an incident that’s happening without having to stop.”
- On the Record 07/27/2019: Sharks and rip currents
- Analyzing 10 years of rip current forecast data
- Off-duty Coast Guard member rescues 3 people from rip current at Fort Fisher
Rescue officials say rip currents can change and move so it is important to pay attention to flags posted around the beach and ask the lifeguards nearby whether or not it is safe to swim.
If a flag is red, lifeguards ask that you get out of the water because it is too dangerous to swim.
If you get caught in a rip current, experts advise you to swim parallel to the shore. Officials recommend to relax, float and tread water.
As the rip current continues to pull you away from the shore, you must swim slowly to conserve your energy. Never swim against the current, experts say.
A total of 171 people have died in the Carolinas since 2000 from rip currents. About a quarter of those deaths are from bystanders attempting a rescue.
