Rip currents, commonly called rip tides, and erroneously called undertows, affect many of the surf areas along North Carolina coasts, and pose a life threatening situation to the unsuspecting beach goers.   Though storms  make them stronger, they really only need a steady, fresh breeze blowing perpendicular to the shore to stir them up.

A rip current is a strong surface current of water flowing out past the surf zone that can pull the strongest swimmer into deeper water.  Most deaths occur when people caught in the current try to swim toward the shore directly against the current; they become totally exhausted and drown.   Many times would-be-rescuers are also caught and drowned.

Rip Currents are normally 10 to 30 yards wide, and the best escape from them, especially for the weak or non-swimmer, is to wade or swim parallel to the beach.  The rip current weakens rapidly only a relatively short distance seaward of the sandbar that creates them.  Another means of escape is to float with the current beyond the breakers, then swim shoreward at an angle away from the current.

A person can recognize a rip current in the surf zone by such characteristics as a discoloration of the water that extends in a bank offshore, or a foam or seaweed streak extending seaward from the breakers. 

Rip Currents can occur at any time of the year, but the majority of deaths occur from May to August when the combination of a large number of bathers and favorable wind conditions coincide.  Many victims are tourists who are unfamiliar with surf conditions.  However, local residents are also at risk.  The old and the young and the non-swimmer are particularly susceptible.