LIFE GUARD ON DUTY

Starting this weekend, Hector Lezcano Contreras, a local Civil Proctection Life Guard is protecting swimmers at Playa La Barqueta. Hector is volunteering his time while the funds are appropriated to cover his salary. The goal is to have a full time life guard at Playa La Barqueta.

Thank you to Antonietta and Caesar Scherrad for their contribution of red and green flags. Las Olas contribueted the pvc and wire ties to create markers for the rip tide and safe swim areas.

more to come..

International Rip Tide Awareness Week

Rip Currents:
Break The Grip of The Rip!®
Awareness Week: June 7-13, 2009

Check this site for a rip current overview, safety tips, forecasts, photos, headliness, survivor stories, multimedia, links, and a glossary. Also available are printed copies of our full color brochure and sign in English and Spanish from your local forecast office or links to download the brochures on rip current safety. Feel free to download a template for a safety sign in English and Spanish.
blue rule

rip current warning signRip 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, including the Great Lakes.
Rip currents can be killers. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation's beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards.

The greatest safety precaution that can be taken is to recognize the danger of rip currents and always remember to swim at beaches with lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association has calculated the chance that a person will drown while attending a beach protected by USLA affiliated lifeguards at 1 in 18 million. If caught in a rip current at an unguarded beach, how you respond could make the difference between life and death.

NOAA's National Weather Service and National Sea Grant Program, in partnership with the United States Lifesaving Association, are working together to raise awareness about the dangers of rip currents. Research is also being conducted in order to develop and improve the ability to predict the occurrence and strength of rip currents. The goal of the awareness campaign and research is to reduce the number of rip current related fatalities.

A daily rip current outlook is included in the Surf Zone Forecast, which is issued by many National Weather Service offices. A three-tiered structure of low, moderate, high is used to describe the rip current risk. This outlook is communicated to lifeguards, emergency management, media and the general public.

With increasing coastal populations, rip currents will continue to be a serious hazard at surf beaches. This web site is designed to provide educational material as well as real time information about the rip current risk. The time you take to understand rip currents can help you protect yourself and your loved ones when visiting the beaches.
blue rule noaa logo and link nws logo and link National Sea Grant logo and linkThe U.S. Lifesaving Association
Home, Awareness Week Resources, Overview, Forecasts/Outlooks, Safety Tips,
Signs/Brochures, Photos, Real Life Rip Current Stories, Questions/Answers,
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