FAQs
Is there a difference between a rip and a rip current?
A “rip” and a “rip current” are the same thing. Rip is simply an abbreviation.
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Can a rip current pull me under water using undertow?
No – Rip currents do not pull you underwater, they simply take a person away from the beach. They are not undertow. Rip current related drowning deaths occur due to a panic, which can impair judgement, fatigue or poor swimming ability.
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Do rip currents always flow straight out, away from the beach?
No – Rip currents can flow at many angles away from the beach. Under certain circumstances rip currents can flow in circles within the surf zone. However, all rip currents periodically 'pulse' and push water beyond the breaking waves when water flow increases.
Ultimately, if you stay calm you will be able to assess which direction is the best to swim in to escape the rip current. Generally, swimming parallel to the beach will allow you to escape the rip current if you are a strong and experienced surf swimmer.
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Is there such a thing as a rip tide?
No - Rip currents are sometimes referred to as ‘rip tides’, which is misleading as tides refer to water level changes over a period of 6-12 hours, where as rip currents are currents moving over seconds, minutes and hours.
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Rip currents aside, where should I swim?
Always swim between the red and yellow flags. If there are no red and yellow flags present, don’t swim. To find a patrolled beach go to: www.beachsafe.org.au
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Why don’t all rip currents look the same?
Rip currents are a dynamic geographical feature. They are influenced by factors such as the type of beach, the sand/rock sediment and shape of the seabed. This is why it is important to look out for the different features that might indicate the presence of a rip current.
There are common features to rip currents through; they occur in deeper water in the surf zone and this generally results in deeper, darker water, and fewer breaking waves.
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Are rip currents always dangerous?
No – rip currents are sometimes used by surf lifesavers and lifeguards or surfers to manoeuvre more swiftly in the surf. However, this takes years of experience and your ability in the surf might not be as good as you think.
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Shouldn’t I be on the look out for sharks more than rip currents?
No – while sharks are an inherent risk due to sharing their natural habitat, on average only 1 person per year in Australia dies as a result of a shark attack. Compared to an average of 87 drowning deaths on the coast each year, rip currents have claimed many more lives consistently year to year.
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