Rip Current Safety: How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Connie George
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Last weekend, actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died in Costa Rica after being swept away by a rip current. He was just 54 years old, enjoying what should have been a relaxing family beach day.
Losing a vibrant, healthy, middle-aged man like Malcolm-Jamal reminds us that rip currents don’t care how famous, strong, or experienced you are. They strike quickly, quietly, and without warning—and claim far too many lives each year.
For me, this topic is personal. And honestly, writing about it has been on my mind for a long time. I’ve struggled with how to bring it up without sounding like I’m trying to scare people. But if even one person learns something that saves a life because of this article, then Malcolm-Jamal’s tragedy will have been the push I needed to finally write it.
In this article, I am going to explain:
Why this is personal for me.
Why I wrote this article.
What is a rip current.
How to spot a rip current.
What to do if you are caught in a rip current.
How to stay safe at the beach.
A personal perspective.
Why This Is Personal for Me
This isn’t just something I’ve read about—it’s something I’ve lived.
My grandmother nearly drowned at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, when she was in her 40s. A lifeguard happened to spot her struggling and rescued her. If he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have grown up with my grandmother.
Years later, when I was in my early 20s, I found myself in the same terrifying situation on a trip to Cancun. I was a fairly decent swimmer, but I didn’t know how to spot rip currents (sometimes called rip tides), and I certainly didn’t realize that swimming skills alone wouldn’t keep me safe.
One minute I was having fun in the waves, and the next, I was being pulled farther and farther from shore, no matter how hard I tried to swim back. I was getting worn out fast. I started to panic and prayed for help.
That’s when I looked up at the beach and locked eyes with an older local man. Everyone else seemed to fade away, and I focused on him. I couldn’t hear what he was saying—and probably wouldn’t have understood his words anyway—but he started motioning to me. I understood that I needed to stop fighting the current and swim parallel to the shoreline instead of toward the beach.
It worked. Once I was out of the current, I was exhausted, but I was able to get back to shore. I never saw that man again, but I’m still grateful for the answered prayer that led me to his guidance.
Currents Are a Danger Everywhere—Not Just in Oceans
Just this past week, a 21-year-old man drowned in the Brandywine Creek, about 45 minutes from where I live, after getting caught in a strong current. Most people think of rip currents as an ocean problem, but dangerous currents can also happen in creeks, rivers, and large lakes.
That’s why I’m writing this—not to make you afraid of the water, but to help you enjoy it safely. Knowing how rip currents work, how to spot them, and what to do if you’re caught in one could literally save a life.
What Is a Rip Current?
A rip current, also referred to as a rip tide or undercurrent, is a powerful, narrow stream of water that moves away from shore. These currents often form near sandbars, piers, or jetties, but they can also show up on open beaches that look calm at first glance.
Rip currents can move at speeds of up to 8 feet per second—faster than an Olympic swimmer. According to NOAA, they cause over 100 drowning deaths each year in the U.S. alone, along with thousands of rescues.
How to Spot a Rip Current
Sometimes rip currents are obvious, but usually they’re not. Here’s what to look for:
A gap in the breaking waves: Whitewater on both sides but a strange, calmer-looking patch in the middle could signal a rip current.
Choppy, swirling water: Even when the rest of the ocean looks smooth.
Foam or debris moving out to sea: Watch the water—if it’s pulling things away from shore, take note.
Water color differences: Rip currents often look darker because they’re deeper.
I realize that the first two examples are opposites of each other. Think of it as the childhood game, "Which One Doesn't Belong?" where you show a child four images. Three have something in common, like being chickens, and the fourth one is a frog. You are looking for one section that stands out from the rest of the water.
In some areas, you may also be looking for flags —yellow indicating caution and red advising against entering the water. And when in doubt, ask the lifeguards if there are any. They know the local beach conditions and can help point out dangerous spots.
What to Do If You’re Caught in a Rip Current
The number one rule is: Don’t panic.That’s easier said than done, but staying calm is key. Panic leads to exhaustion, and that’s what causes most drownings.
Here’s what to do:
Don’t try to swim straight back to shore. You won’t beat the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of it.
Float and conserve energy. If you’re too tired to swim, float on your back and breathe calmly. Rip currents don’t pull you under—they pull you out. Once you’re free of the current, you can swim back at an angle.
Signal for help. Raise one arm in the air. Lifeguards are trained to watch for this.
Guidance to spotting and escaping a rip current reported on Good Morning America.
How to Stay Safe at the Beach
Swim at lifeguarded beaches whenever possible.
Check local beach reports before swimming—NOAA and many beach towns post rip current forecasts.
Never swim alone.
Teach your kids what to do. If they’re old enough to go in the ocean, they’re old enough to learn about rip currents.
When in doubt, stay out. It’s okay to enjoy the beach without going in deep water.
Visit the American Red Cross site to learn more about Swimming Safely at the Beach.
A Travel Advisor’s Perspective
As a travel advisor, I spend most of my time helping people plan joyful, memory-making trips. But part of my job is also helping people plan safely.
That’s why I’m sharing this—not to scare you, but to make sure you and your family know what to do if the unexpected happens.
When I think about how close my grandmother came to not making it home, or how easily my Cancun trip could’ve ended differently, I feel incredibly grateful—and a little obligated to pass this on.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death is heartbreaking. It’s also a sobering reminder that the ocean, while beautiful, deserves our respect and caution.
Final Thoughts
Beach vacations are meant to be relaxing and fun—but they should also be safe. Please consider sharing this with someone you care about. You never know when a little bit of knowledge could save a life.
Happy (and Safe!) Traveling!
-Connie