To Sarasota County lifeguards, they’re simply called “rips.”

To swimmers, they can be one of the greatest dangers in the ocean.

A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of water flowing away from the shoreline and back toward the open Gulf. According to the University of Florida, rip currents are a natural part of coastal dynamics and occur on beaches around the world. While they are common, they can become dangerous when swimmers are caught off guard.

Under certain wave conditions, rip currents can carry swimmers hundreds of yards offshore as water seeks the fastest route back to the sea.

Recent weather conditions have increased the number of rip currents along Gulf Coast beaches, prompting Sarasota County officials to remind residents and visitors to make water safety a priority.

In July, Sarasota County Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Dorsey and Lifeguard Chief Luis Rodriguez met with local media to discuss rip-current safety and offer tips that can help save lives.

Speaking with WWSB-TV, Rodriguez said the biggest mistake swimmers make is panicking.

“Most of the time, people panic. They try to swim against it,” Rodriguez said. “They don’t realize how big it is or how far it actually extends.”

Trying to swim directly against a rip current can quickly exhaust even experienced swimmers.

The danger of rip currents gained national attention in July when actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54, drowned after being caught in a rip current while swimming at an unguarded beach in Costa Rica.

Recognizing a Rip Current

Before entering the water, lifeguards recommend taking a few moments to observe the surf.

Rip currents often appear as:

• A noticeably calmer or darker channel of water. 

• A milky, foamy or sandy-looking path extending away from shore. 

• An area where waves are not breaking consistently. 

• Water moving rapidly away from the beach. 

If you spot what appears to be a rip current, avoid entering the water in that area.

What to Do if You’re Caught in a Rip Current

If you become caught in a rip current, do not try to swim directly back to shore.

Instead:

• Stay calm and avoid panicking. 

• Tread water or float to conserve energy. 

• Swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current. 

• Once free of the current, swim back to shore at an angle. 

• If you cannot escape, continue floating, wave for help and call to a lifeguard. 

Because rip currents are generally narrow, swimming parallel to the beach is often the quickest way to escape.

Sarasota County lifeguards carry rescue buoys, rescue boards and other flotation devices to assist distressed swimmers.

Understanding Beach Warning Flags

Beach warning flags provide important information about current water conditions and should always be checked before entering the Gulf.

Conditions can change throughout the day.

Flag meanings include:

• Green: Low hazard; calm conditions. 

• Yellow: Medium hazard; use caution. 

• Red: High hazard; dangerous surf and currents. 

• Double red: Water closed to the public. 

• Purple: Dangerous marine life may be present. 

Current beach conditions are available through Mote Marine Laboratory’s Visit Beaches website.

Beach Safety Tips

Sarasota County recommends following these safety guidelines whenever visiting the beach:

• Swim only at beaches protected by lifeguards. 

• Never swim alone. 

• Stay within designated swimming areas. 

• Always supervise children in the water. 

• Check beach warning flags before entering the Gulf. 

• Don’t overestimate your swimming ability. 

• Never rely on flotation devices as lifesaving equipment. 

• Stay away from swim buoys and rock jetties. 

• Never dive headfirst into unfamiliar water. 

• Duck beneath breaking waves rather than jumping over them. 

• If you’re in trouble, wave and call loudly for help. 

• If someone else is in distress, notify a lifeguard immediately. Do not attempt a rescue unless you are properly trained. 

A Lifesaving Presence

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rip currents account for more than 80% of rescues performed by surf lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that rip currents claim more than 100 lives each year nationwide.

Sarasota County officials note that local beaches are among the safest in Florida because of their highly trained lifeguards. In addition to CPR and first-responder training, Sarasota County lifeguards are certified emergency medical technicians and have access to advanced rescue equipment, including automated external defibrillators, rescue boards and rescue buoys.

Lifeguards are on duty at Siesta Beach 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with extended hours until 6:45 p.m. on major holidays.

Before heading to the beach, visitors can check current rip current forecasts through the National Weather Service at weather.gov/beach/florida.