public:rip_currents
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public:rip_currents [2014/09/17 19:15] tomrenner |
public:rip_currents [2023/05/15 14:56] (current) tomrenner |
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| ====== Rip Currents ====== | ====== Rip Currents ====== | ||
| {{ public:ed:water_safety:rip_current_signs.png}} | {{ public:ed:water_safety:rip_current_signs.png}} | ||
| - | Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, including the South Haven. | + | Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves, including South Haven. |
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| + | Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. | ||
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| + | Be aware of water conditions at all times. South Haven beaches currently use a flag system to alert the public to the Lake Michigan water conditions. These flags are flown at South Haven's public beaches from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. between May 15 and September 15. The status of the flags is also available on the City of South Haven website -- https://www.southhavenmi.gov/parks_and_recreation/beach_flag_information.php | ||
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| + | The public is advised that swimming is at their own risk. There are no lifeguards on duty at any public beach in South Haven. Signage is placed at all locations explaining the public's responsibilities when using the beaches and accessing the piers. | ||
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| + | Learn more about the beach safety program for South Haven -- http://www.shaes.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=public:beach_safety | ||
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| + | The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death. | ||
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| + | The city has the authority to close beaches and the piers when dangerous conditions such as rip currents occur -- [[https://southhavencitymi.documents-on-demand.com/document/4d620b26-646e-ec11-a360-000c29a59557/Ord%201077%20-%20Beach%20Safety%20and%20Pier%20Barriers.PDF|Click here to read City of South Haven Ordinance for Closing City Beach Waters and Piers]] | ||
| - | Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. | ||
| - | The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death. | ||
| =====Why Rip Currents Form===== | =====Why Rip Currents Form===== | ||
| As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore. | As waves travel from deep to shallow water, they will break near the shoreline. When waves break strongly in some locations and weakly in others, this can cause circulation cells which are seen as rip currents: narrow, fast-moving belts of water traveling offshore. | ||
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| Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. The seaward pull of rip currents varies: sometimes the rip current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves, but sometimes rip currents continue to push hundreds of yards offshore. | Rip currents most typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. Rip currents can be very narrow or extend in widths to hundreds of yards. The seaward pull of rip currents varies: sometimes the rip current ends just beyond the line of breaking waves, but sometimes rip currents continue to push hundreds of yards offshore. | ||
| =====How to Identify Rip Currents===== | =====How to Identify Rip Currents===== | ||
| - | {{ public:ed:water_safety:ripcurrent2-sm.jpg}} | + | {{ public:150919lakemichiganwaves0002.jpg}} |
| Look for any of these clues: | Look for any of these clues: | ||
| *a channel of churning, choppy water | *a channel of churning, choppy water | ||
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| *Learn how to swim! | *Learn how to swim! | ||
| *Never swim alone. | *Never swim alone. | ||
| - | *Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out! | + | *Be cautious at all times. If in doubt, don’t go out! Obey the flags -- https://www.southhavenmi.gov/parks_and_recreation/beach_flag_information.php |
| - | *Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach. | + | *Obey all instructions and orders given you by those in authority. |
| - | *Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. | + | |
| *If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly. | *If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly. | ||
| *Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore. | *Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore. | ||
| *If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore. | *If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore. | ||
| *If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. | *If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help. | ||
| - | *If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1 . Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. | + | {{ public:160518callbox0020.jpg}} |
| + | *If you see someone in trouble call 911. Emergency call boxes are located on the south and north beaches. When activated they connect with the 911 dispatch center. | ||
| + | *Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current. | ||
| =====ABC Awareness Video===== | =====ABC Awareness Video===== | ||
public/rip_currents.1410981308.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/09/17 19:15 by tomrenner
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