ABSTRACT
Since recreational beach swimming became popular in the early 1900s, many unfortunate beachgoers have drowned in rip currents-strong, narrow, and concentrated ¦ows of water that are common on many ocean, inland sea, and lacustrine beaches characterized by breaking waves. Rip currents can quickly carry unsuspecting bathers in an offshore direction against their will, where a combination of lack of knowledge, panic, and exhaustion too often leads to serious consequences. Not surprisingly, rip currents are the leading causes of beach rescues and drownings.
