ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. (WITN) - With gloomy skies and rain, it doesn’t make for an ideal beach day along the Crystal Coast.On top of the weather, the risk of rip currents is moderate.But the clouds and rain aren’t the only things that could dampen your plans, as yellow flags are flying, warning of a moderate risk of rip currents.However, it’s not enough to keep some visitors at bay.“I’m a pretty good swimmer, so I can handle myself, but maybe for inexperienced swimmers it might be safe ...
ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. (WITN) - With gloomy skies and rain, it doesn’t make for an ideal beach day along the Crystal Coast.
On top of the weather, the risk of rip currents is moderate.
But the clouds and rain aren’t the only things that could dampen your plans, as yellow flags are flying, warning of a moderate risk of rip currents.
However, it’s not enough to keep some visitors at bay.
“I’m a pretty good swimmer, so I can handle myself, but maybe for inexperienced swimmers it might be safe to stay out of the water,” says visitor Patrick Doyle.
Rip currents are strong channelized currents of water that flow back into the ocean from the shoreline, acting like a treadmill of the ocean, pulling people away from the shore.
Atlantic Beach firefighter Captain Jay Scott Bell says people should be aware before jumping in.
“Swim in life guarded areas, so if you do get in trouble, then you might obviously, your chances of being spotted and rescued are much higher,” says Bell.
If you do get caught in a rip current, Bell says you shouldn’t panic or try to fight it.
“So we want people to kind of relax, try and float, conserve energy,” says Bell.
If you do decide to dive in and aren’t a strong swimmer, Bell says to wear a flotation device to stay safe.
“I never really rescued anybody with flotation. Never done CPR on anybody with flotation. So it’s important to have flotation, especially if you’re not a strong swimmer,” Bell says.
Bell adds to make sure that you’re not alone when swimming, make sure someone is watching you, and if you get caught in a rip current, try to wave down a lifeguard or someone and call 911.
Rip current conditions change daily and even hourly, Bell says, and it’s best to check conditions before heading to the beach.
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