Beaches – Surfers by rip current – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Exotico y Barato Photos
You might picture smooth, white sands and azure oceans when you think of Florida beaches. But both locals and visitors should keep in mind that they are also notorious for having the highest number of rip current fatalities in the country.
Florida has reported 25 rip current-related fatalities so far in 2023. A total of 143 rip current fatalities have been caused by beaches within the Sunshine State since 2017.
To better understand the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths, researchers from the Florida Panhandle combined information from the CDC and NOAA.
According to the data, June was the month with the lowest number of fatalities from 2017 to 2023, reaching 86. Researchers hypothesized that summer vacation was to blame for the situation.
With 46 total deaths since 2017, May was second.
Males made up the vast majority of the population who died. In actuality, men account for almost 80 percent of all rip-current fatalities.
The CDC predicts that “men are more likely to participate in swimming and water sports under the influence of drugs and alcohol. In addition, they are more likely to forgo wearing a life jacket.”
What is a rip current?
Strong, confined, swift-moving streams known as rip currents can flow up to eight feet per second. People may be dragged out into the open water and away from the shore by these waterways. Even an Olympic gold medalist swimmer cannot overcome the current.
Rip currents commonly develop at sandbar breaks, on the ocean floor, and close to other structures like piers.
According to experts, choppy water, a darker, calmer area of water between areas of whitewater and crashing waves, seafoam, and seaweed or other debris moving towards the sea are signs that a rip current is nearby.
Getting out of a rip current
Remain cool if you get swept up in a rip current. You cannot be swept away by rip currents.
Simply float in the current rather than swimming against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore while at an angle toward the breaking waves. If you are successful, keep swimming at an angle toward the beach.
Draw attention to yourself, wave your hands in the air, and yell for help if you believe you are unable to escape.
Don’t make yourself a victim while attempting to help if you see someone being swept away by a rip current. Get a lifeguard right away if one is on duty. Call 9-1-1 and try to instruct the operator on how to swim out of the stream if there isn’t a lifeguard on duty.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.