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The sweltering summer of 2012 continues. The National Weather Center has issued a heat advisory until 8PM tonight. Certain inland areas of South Jersey are under a excessive heat warning.

  There is some relief at the beach. Strong winds and waves are creating a high risk of rip currents along the entire Jersey coast.

How to Identify Rip Currents:  Look for any of these clues:

  • a channel of churning, choppy water
  • an area having a notable difference in water color
  • a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward
  • a break in the incoming wave pattern

Learn how to swim!

Rip Currents
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Field Research Facility at Duck, NC. United States Lifeaving Assoc 
  • Never swim alone.
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out!
  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
  • Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.

Click here for more  beach saftey tips.

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