Florida Lifeguards rescue over 500 people from rip currents

June 22, 8:45 PMFlorida Travel ExaminerLarraine Stacey

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Over the past three days, lifeguards in Volusia County, Florida rescued over 500 swimmers from rip currents, and swimmers have been warned that the conditions will remain unsafe for a while.  As temperatures soar into the upper-90s, folks take to the waters for relief from the heat.  But lifeguards say that a heavy surf over the past month has caused hundreds of rip currents.  

What is a rip current?  It is a strong surface flow of water near the shore that pulls people and objects out seaward.  It is not an undertow, which is subsurface.  Rip currents can drag swimmers away from the beach until the swimmer becomes exhausted from fighting the current, and can drown.  

Florida lifeguards are out in full force because of the rip currents, but it is still wise to wear a floatation device if swimming at the beach.   It could save your life.

So if you’re planning a Florida beach vacation (Daytona Beach has been especially hard hit with rip currents), have a good time, but be safe.  The best vacation is one where everyone has fun and no one gets hurt.