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WATER WISE™
RIP CURRENTS
RESPECT THE RIP.
— The 3 R's - Rip Current Survival —
CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT? FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
RELAX
raise
ride
Stay calm. Don’t panic. Control your breath.
Fighting the current drains your energy fast.
Wave to shore. Signal for help. Raise one arm so a lifeguard or bystander can see you.
Go with the flow and float. Never swim against the current. Ride it out until it weakens, then swim to shore at an angle or wait for help to arrive.
had had record high drowning deaths at NYC beaches
2024
95%
of all drownings are preventable
miles of shorefront in NYC
520
79%
of children in families earning under $50k / year risk drowning
— RIP CURRENTS —
Know the Dangers.
Learn to Stay Safe.
Wherever waves break—on ocean coastlines, seas, and large lakes—rip currents can form. And NYC has 520 miles of coastline. More than Miami, Boston, LA, and San Francisco combined. From the Rockaways to Orchard Beach to Midland Beach, we’re here to keep you safe.
never swim without a lifeguard
Rip currents are responsible for over 80% of lifeguard rescues on U.S. beaches. They are the leading cause of ocean drowning in New York City.
These rules exist for a reason. They are not suggestions. They are the difference between a good day at the beach and a tragedy.
Never swim alone. · Check conditions before entering. · Keep children within arm’s reach. · If no lifeguard is on duty, do not enter the water.
— WATCH A MOTHER'S VOICE —
both of them just didn't know the risk
- Ms. Noah, mother of Elyjha Chandler
Ms. Noah lost her son Elyjha and his friend Christian to a rip current. She turned that loss into a mission.
Watch her story. Then share it with someone you love.
Share this message:
— Rip Currents 101 —
Recognizing RIP CURRENTs
Rip currents aren’t always easy to spot— even experienced swimmers can miss them. Here’s what to look for before you enter the water.
1
Look for a gap where waves aren’t breaking, often with darker, choppy, or murky water
2
Keep a look out for a narrow, fast-moving stream heading out to sea
3
Lines of foam, seaweed, or floating debris moving steadily away from the shore indicate a current heading out to sea
Spot the RIP CURRENTs
Real ocean photos from beaches can be seen below.
Look for the gap — the darker, calmer channel between breaking waves. That’s the rip. Now you’ll recognize it.
— Be a part of the solution —
RESOURCES FOR EVERY ADVOCATE
If you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or just someone who spends time near the water — these resources are for you. Share them. They save lives.
One page printable guide about water safety and rip currents:
Want support with water safety education?
— Be part of the change —
Stay water wise™
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