DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As Spring Break approaches, a new tool is being used in Volusia County to give swimmers firsthand experience of the dangers of rip currents.
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Volusia County Beach Safety on Thursday held a demonstration of its rip current simulator that will be used to educate the community about rip current awareness and safety.
The equipment is designed to be placed in swimming pools and to create conditions similar to those of an ocean rip current.
During the demonstration at Daytona State College’s Aquatic Center, lifeguards showed what a rip current feels like and explained how swimmers can safely respond if caught in one.
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“We’re the first lifeguarding agency to use this rip current simulator anywhere in the country,” Deputy Chief AJ Miller said. “A lot of people who come down to the beach don’t understand the strength of a rip current.”
Slim Stream Swimming manufactures the portable pumps, which can churn out around 3,000 gallons a minute.
“I guess the best way to describe is that if you’re running on a treadmill, and just wind right in your face, and you’re not going anywhere,” lifeguard EMT Hailey Monahan said.
The simulator, which costs around $6,300, was purchased using grant funding that will be reimbursed through the Florida Department of Children and Families.
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The equipment will be used in upcoming community education classes, which will be announced in the near future.
“We want to target our local bigger hotels and invite their guests to come down to their pool with our simulators, Miller said. “We’ll physically put them in the pool into the simulator to practice those skills before they get into the open ocean environment.”
For more details on beach safety tips, visit Volusia.org.
Surviving a rip current
Rip currents are channels of fast-moving water that can pull swimmers away from the shore.
Volusia County officials offered the following rip current tips:
- If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and do not fight the current. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim to the shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the current, calmly float or tread water. If you are unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving or yelling for help.
You can monitor rip current alerts on ClickOrlando.com’s severe weather alerts.
Beach flags
It’s important to know what each flag means before heading to the water.
Double red flag: Water is closed to the public. You could be arrested or fined for entering the water.
Red flag: Strong and frequent rip currents. Red flags mean dangerous rip current activity is expected. The rip currents would be likely to be stronger and more frequent. It’s recommended to stay out of the water.
Yellow flag: Be aware and cautious. Yellow flags mean some rip current activity is expected. You should be cautious if entering the water, don’t swim alone, and know what to do if caught in a rip current
Green flag: Low hazard. Calm conditions are expected but exercise caution.
Purple flag: Dangerous marine life.