MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew LaPlant
561-297-3022, alaplant@fau.edu

Swim Parallel to the Shoreline if Caught in a Rip Current

BOCA RATON, FL (May 21, 2004) - With the ongoing rip currents caused from the high surf conditions, a Florida Atlantic University professor advises if a person is caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach.

"A person will usually only have to swim about 50 feet before getting out of the rip current," said Dr. Raymond McAllister, professor emeritus in FAU's Ocean Engineering department. "Then you can swim in with the waves or body surf to shore. The two most important things to remember are not to panic and to swim parallel to the shoreline."

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves.

For more information on rip current safety, visit the National Weather Service website at http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/.

-FAU-