The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is encouraging locals and visitors to swim at beaches with lifeguards to prevent becoming a rip current casualty.

NSRI spokesperson Andrew Ingram said on average, 56 people drown because of rip currents in South Africa each year.

He said rip currents were the most significant danger visitors to beaches face.

He said the NSRI’s top tip for avoiding rip currents and staying safe is visiting a beach where and when lifeguards are on duty.

NSRI lifeguard manager Mthe Kweyama said: “Alcohol and going into the water should be avoided at all costs. Swimming after consuming alcohol puts your life at significant risk. Alcohol compromises your judgment, lessens your ability to cope with cold water, reduces your ability to stay afloat and reduces your ability to concentrate.”

He said alcohol will also reduce caregivers or parents’ ability to look after children.

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from the shore, posing a significant danger to beachgoers. They typically form where waves break over sandbars or reefs, creating localised water movements that pull swimmers out to sea.

Rip currents can reach almost three meters per second, making them faster than an Olympic swimmer. They develop when waves push water towards the shore, raising the water level. This excess water then seeks to return to the ocean through the path of least resistance, often forming a current through gaps in sandbars or other underwater features.

Several visual cues identify rip currents: Darker water indicates deeper channels where waves do not break. Gaps between waves: Areas where fewer or no waves are breaking can signal a rip current. Choppy surface: A distinct channel of turbulent water surrounded by smoother areas.

Mr Ingram said rip currents are the leading cause of rescues by lifeguards at beaches as they do not pull individuals under the water but can quickly drag them away from the beach. Panic often leads swimmers to swim against the current, which can result in exhaustion and drowning.

If caught in a rip current, he said, it is crucial to remember to stay calm to conserve energy by floating. Swim out of the current: Instead of swimming directly back to land, swim sideways to escape the current’s grip and signal for help by raising your arm and shouting for assistance if needed.

If you see someone who needs help in the water, alert a lifeguard or contact the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre on 087 094 9774. You can also dial 112, a free call, from your cellphone.

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Don’t become a rip current casualty