What is a rip at the beach and how do you safely swim out of one?

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Rips are the number one coastal hazard contributing to a number of deaths each year so how do you spot one and what should you do if you're caught in one?

A wall of waves crashed into Paul Atherley at an unpatrolled beach before he found himself getting sucked out to sea."Imagine what it would be like in a tumble dryer. You literally get churned and you're in amongst the sand and rock and all of that kind of stuff."He describes the waves pulling him under as "scary" but remembers feeling a sense of relief when he eventually popped up in an area of water that appeared flat.

Rip currents remain the number one coastal hazard contributing to 28 drowning deaths in 2023, according to Royal Life Saving Australia.When waves break, they come crashing into the shoreline and push water in towards the beach. That water has to somehow get back out to sea. The strength of a rip depends on how turbulent or fast the water around you is moving. And they can be be pretty strong.

Given rips can be very difficult to spot, Mr O'Callaghan says the best advice is to swim at patrolled beaches.

 

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