Rip Currents: How to identify a rip current; test your knowledge here

THAT WRECKAGE. WITH THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND AND A LOT OF FAMILIES AT THE BEACH OFFICIALS ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE DANGERS OF RIP CURRENTS AND FORT FISHER A MAN FROM STANFORD DIED ON SATURDAY TRYING TO RESCUE SEVERAL CHILDREN IN DISTRESS IN THE WATER OFFICIALS AND CAROLINA BEACH REPORTED 133 RIP CURRENT RELATED RESCUES FROM OVER THE WEEKEND. SO WAVES DO NOT HAVE TO BE LARGE AND WEATHER DOES NOT NEED TO BE BAD FOR A DANGEROUS RIP CURRENT FORM IF YOU WERE IN THE WATER AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE GETTING FARTHER AWAY FROM THE BEACH HERE IS WHAT NOT TO DO ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS TRY NOT TO PANIC AND DON’T TRY TO SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT THAT MAY ONLY LEAD TO EXHAUSTION INSTEAD YOU WANT TO SWIM PARALLEL TO THE BEACH UNTIL THE OCEAN DOESN’T FEEL LIKE IT’S GOT A POOL ON YOU THEN TRY TO SWIM BACK TO THE SHORE AT AN ANGLE LETTING THE WAVES PUSH YOU BACK IN. SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE STRONG SWIMMERS AND AND AND AND OR YOU MIGHT GET TIRED AND FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T KEEP SWIMMING. SO IF YOU CAN JUST FLOW STAY ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER AND LOOK BACK TO SHORE AND CALL AND WAIT FOR HELP. YOU KNOW, THAT’LL GIVE A CHANCE FOR FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL TO COME RESCUE YOU. AND THEN NUMBER ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO STAY SAFE FOR THE BEAC

Rip currents claim a number of lives each year at beaches across the world. It can turn a fun day at the beach into a deadly tragedy in a matter of seconds. Below you can test your knowledge and see if you can spot the rip currents. Just use the image slider to reveal the rip current.But first, here's what you need to know about rip currents that could save your life with the information provided by weather.gov. Why are rip currents dangerous?Rip currents pull people away from the shores in the water. They can also sweep even the strongest swimmers away from shore. Where do rip currents form?They typically form at breaks in sandbars and also near structures like jetties and piers. What are clues that a rip current may be present?Look for a narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water between areas of breaking waves and whitewater. Also, look for a channel of churning and choppy water. Also, look for a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving seaward. How big are rip currents?A typical rip current ranges from 50-100 feet wide and can extend 100 yards or more offshore. What should you do if you’re trapped in a rip current?Relax and don’t swim against the current. Swim out of the current to the right or left.You can also float on your back and backstroke to the right or left to get out of rip currentIf you can’t escape, float or tread water.Can you spot the rip current?Look at the images below and use the tool to see if you can spot the rip current. Can you identify the rip current?PGlmcmFtZSBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgY2xhc3M9Imp1eHRhcG9zZSIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iNjg0LjcwOTk5OTk5OTk5OTkiIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4ua25pZ2h0bGFiLmNvbS9saWJzL2p1eHRhcG9zZS9sYXRlc3QvZW1iZWQvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91aWQ9ZWI3NmIxNWMtMTliMy0xMWVlLWI1YmQtNjU5NWQ5YjE3ODYyIj48L2lmcmFtZT4=Here's another one, can you identify the rip current?PGlmcmFtZSBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgY2xhc3M9Imp1eHRhcG9zZSIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iNjY3IiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLmtuaWdodGxhYi5jb20vbGlicy9qdXh0YXBvc2UvbGF0ZXN0L2VtYmVkL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw/dWlkPTI4MGE3NTVjLTE5YjYtMTFlZS1iNWJkLTY1OTVkOWIxNzg2MiI+PC9pZnJhbWU+Try this one, can you spot the rip current?PGlmcmFtZSBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgY2xhc3M9Imp1eHRhcG9zZSIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iNjUwIiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLmtuaWdodGxhYi5jb20vbGlicy9qdXh0YXBvc2UvbGF0ZXN0L2VtYmVkL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw/dWlkPTMxNWI3MjkwLTE5YjctMTFlZS1iNWJkLTY1OTVkOWIxNzg2MiI+PC9pZnJhbWU+Here's another one, can you spot the rip current?PGlmcmFtZSBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgY2xhc3M9Imp1eHRhcG9zZSIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iNjI4IiBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vY2RuLmtuaWdodGxhYi5jb20vbGlicy9qdXh0YXBvc2UvbGF0ZXN0L2VtYmVkL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw/dWlkPTA2ZGQ1ZGEyLTE5YjgtMTFlZS1iNWJkLTY1OTVkOWIxNzg2MiI+PC9pZnJhbWU+Still want to know more about rip currents? Watch this video to find out more safety tips.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Rip currents claim a number of lives each year at beaches across the world. It can turn a fun day at the beach into a deadly tragedy in a matter of seconds.

Below you can test your knowledge and see if you can spot the rip currents. Just use the image slider to reveal the rip current.

But first, here's what you need to know about rip currents that could save your life with the information provided by weather.gov.

Why are rip currents dangerous?

Rip currents pull people away from the shores in the water. They can also sweep even the strongest swimmers away from shore.

Where do rip currents form?

They typically form at breaks in sandbars and also near structures like jetties and piers.

What are clues that a rip current may be present?

Look for a narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water between areas of breaking waves and whitewater.

Also, look for a channel of churning and choppy water. Also, look for a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving seaward.

How big are rip currents?

A typical rip current ranges from 50-100 feet wide and can extend 100 yards or more offshore.

What should you do if you’re trapped in a rip current?

Relax and don’t swim against the current.
Swim out of the current to the right or left.
You can also float on your back and backstroke to the right or left to get out of rip current
If you can’t escape, float or tread water.