Rip currents are dreaded by surf swimmers everywhere. The standard recommendation for swimmers is if you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore. Why?
A) It will carry you in the longshore current which will take you ashore.
B) This recommendation is wrong; you should swim with the current and wait for it to die away, then swim to shore because the currents dissipate quickly.
C) This recommendation is wrong; you should swim toward the shore as fast as you can.
D) The current is moving offshore but is confined, so by swimming parallel to shore you can swim out of the current.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rip currents are fast-moving currents that move away from shore. The best way to escape from them is to swim parallel to the shore as the current is often confined to a narrow channel. By swimming parallel to the shore, you can swim out of the current and then swim back to shore. Swimming towards the shore will not work as it requires swimming against the current which could lead to exhaustion. Waiting for the current to die away is also not recommended as rip currents can last for hours.

Rip Currents Are Dreaded by Surf Swimmers Everywhere