Beach Safety Information

There are no lifeguards on our beaches, so you must use extreme caution while swimming. Never swim alone! Never swim at night! Non-swimmers should either stay out of the water or wear life jackets while in the water. Always keep an eye on your children and teach them to never turn their backs on the waves. Even though you might feel invincible while on vacation, the many rescues and occasional drowning prove that the ocean is mightier than the swimmer!

Be especially aware of Rip Currents. Often mistakenly called “undertows”, these powerful currents can pull the most experienced swimmer away from the shore. They are formed when water rushes out to sea in a narrow path. Rip currents can extend 1,000 feet off-shore, reach 100 feet in width and travel up to 3 mph. Some are present for a few hours; others are permanent. Rip currents are more prevalent after storms.

If you’re caught in a rip current, don’t panic or swim against the current. Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current. Rip currents are rarely more than 30 feet wide. If you can’t break out of the current, float calmly until it dissipates, usually just beyond the breakers. Then swim diagonally to shore. If you don’t swim well, stay in wading depths and watch for sudden drop offs.

Important Safety Tips:

• Check the ocean forecast and be aware that even on low risk days, rip currents can still exist. Local resources for weather forecasts are Channel 16 for weather and ocean conditions and Channel 12 for periodic beach safety tips. For more information about rip current forecasts, click here to visit NOAA.



• Bring your cell phone and know your exact location at the beach. In an emergency, to get the fastest response, a phone and address can save lives.



• Never swim alone, and also have someone on shore watching you.



• Educate yourself and your family on rip currents. Local resources include the "Break the Grip of the Rip" brochure and The Eena Project video. You can find a copy of this video in your rental home. If the video is missing from your vacation home, please contact Bluewater GMAC for another copy.

Every year, millions of people visit the Crystal Coast to experience the beauty of the beaches found here. Unfortnately, for the Koles Family, September 2006 brought a tragedy in the Outer Banks. Kristina (Eena) Koles drowned as a result of a rip current, and her family created The Eena Project in her memory to educate others on rip currents and other beach-related hazards. Please take a few minutes to educate yourself and your family - it has saved lives!

Kristina's death was tragic and preventable. The Eena Project does not want any other family to experience what Kristina's family went through that day. Education on rip currents and water safety can help you have a wonderful vacation here in the Crystal Coast.

For more information or to view The Eena Project video, click here.