The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a safety warning for ‘stronger than normal rip currents’ resulting from the upcoming peak of spring tide this week.
Also read: NSRI urges public to prioritise safety following multiple incidents
‘NSRI is appealing to bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, anglers and coastal hikers to be cautious around the coastline as the new moon spring tide increases toward the peak of spring tide on Wednesday, 13 December, during the new moon spring tide phase lasting into the coming weekend,’ the institute warned.
Rip currents can be stronger than normal in some places around the coastline. Beachgoers and bathers are urged to only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards and to swim in between the safe swimming areas, which are marked with red and yellow flags.
The NSRI also urged inland water users to be cautious.
‘Although not affected by spring tide on inland waters, the increase in water-related emergencies is of concern and we are appealing to everyone in and around coastal and inland waterways to have safety top of mind,’ concluded the institute.
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Rip currents:
A rip current is a strong, narrow surface current of water that flows rapidly away from the shore. These currents form when excess water that has collected along the shore – due to wind and waves – suddenly rushes back into the ocean.
Because they are so strong, rip currents can easily drag you into deeper waters and put you at risk.
What to look out for
- Water through a surf zone that is a different colour to the surrounding water
- A change in the incoming pattern of waves (often the waves are not breaking in a rip channel)
- Seaweed, sand ‘clouds’ or debris moving out to the backline where waves are forming through the surf zone
- Turbulent or choppy water in the surf zone in a channel or river-like shape flowing away from the beach
If you get caught in a rip current
- Don’t panic
- Don’t try to swim straight back to the shore against the current, as this will exhaust you
- Try to tread water or turn on your back and float (riptides get weaker as they go further out)
- Raise one arm in the air and wave for help to alert people on the beach that you are in trouble
- Swim parallel to the beach, out of the current, and then use waves to help you get back to the beach
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Also read:
Milnerton lifeguards complete a string of rescues in the last month
Picture: The National Sea Rescue Institute
