CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a new safety warning people should know about before getting into the water at the beach.
The first weekend of summer saw high risks of rip currents at North Carolina beaches. Crews rescued over 150 swimmers from rip currents off the coast last week. The most happened on Saturday when 59 people were pulled from the water.
The National Weather Service blames the dangerous currents on an east-southeast swell and this weekend's full moon.
Most of the North Carolina coast was at a moderate risk for rip currents. Swimmers are encouraged to swim near a lifeguard in these conditions.
In high-risk zones, the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers and people are warned to stay out of the water.
Emergency crews are embracing new technology to save lives. Drones equipped with cameras and speakers are now used to locate and talk to stranded swimmers.
WEATHER IQ: The do's and don'ts of rip currents
What is a rip current?
Rip currents create powerful currents of water that flow away from shore. Rip currents can extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves.
The National Weather Service says anyone trapped in a rip current should do the following:
- Remain calm to conserve energy
- Do not fight the current. Think of a rip current like a treadmill. You want to step to the side of it.
- Swim across the current in a direction that's parallel to the shoreline.
- Once out of the current, swim back toward shore.
- RIp currents typically weaken beyond where the waves are breaking. Swim down the beach some before heading back to shore.
- If you can't escape the current, try to float or calmly tread water.
- If you need help, draw attention to yourself by facing the shore, waving your arms and yelling for help.
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