Rip currents

How to survive a rip current.

A woman is lucky to be alive after getting caught in a Wildwood rip current. Without the help of a stranger, she may not have survived to tell the story.

Now, I'm a very strong swimmer. I've done the swim team thing for a few years! But when it comes to the ocean, I don't mess around. Especially with rip tides.

Late August... and some Jersey shore lifeguards have left for school or a regular job. But it's prime time during the hurricane season, and the rip current risk has been heightened as a storm churns through the Atlantic.

New Jersey's coast was delivered a one-two punch in the offseason from storms Joaquin and Jonas, tearing away a significant amount of sand from beaches.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a high risk of rip currents for South Jersey due to Tropical Storm Cristobal. More rip current warnings may be possible for the rest of the week.

Monday's drowning of a woman on the South Carolina Avenue beach in Atlantic City and tropical system Bertha passing South Jersey offshore this week make this a good time for a refresher course on swimming safely during times of rip currents.