As millions of visitors prepare to hit the beaches along the state's coastline and beyond this season, safety officials are renewing their push for awareness regarding the ocean's deadliest natural threat: rip currents.
According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association (USLA), rip currents account for approximately 100 drownings annually across the U.S. and are responsible for over 80% of all lifeguard rescues. The impact is particularly felt in the Carolinas; between 2000 and 2025, 196 rip current drownings were reported in the two states—an average of nearly eight fatalities per year.
This statistic makes rip currents the top weather-related killer in the coastal Carolinas, surpassing all other weather-related fatalities over the last quarter-century. Experts emphasize that continued education and public awareness are the most effective tools for keeping beachgoers safe in the water.
These powerful, channelized currents of water flow from the shoreline back into the ocean, typically forming at breaks in sandbars or near structures like piers and jetties.
The National Weather Service describes them as "treadmills of the ocean," with speeds often reaching 1 to 2 feet per second—though they have been clocked as fast as 8 feet per second, which is faster than an Olympic swimmer. Crucially, rip currents do not pull people under the water; instead, they pull them away from the shore into deeper areas.
Because they can be difficult to identify in the surf, many swimmers are caught off guard—especially since dangerous rip currents can occur even during beautiful, sunny weather. Experts say the greatest risk to life occurs when people attempt to swim directly against the current instead of swimming parallel to the shore to escape it.
Safety experts emphasize that the most critical factor in surviving a rip current is your immediate reaction. If you find yourself caught in one, the first priority is to remain calm to conserve your energy.
Rather than fighting the current, think of it like a treadmill you cannot turn off; the goal is to "step to the side" by swimming parallel to the shoreline. Rip currents typically weaken once they pass the breaking waves, at which point you should swim further down the beach before attempting to return to shore.
If you are unable to escape the current, experts advise:
- Float or calmly tread water instead of struggling against the flow.
- Draw attention to yourself if you feel you cannot reach the shore.
- Face the shoreline, wave your arms, and yell for help to alert lifeguards or bystanders.
For more information on rip currents, visit this link.
