Expert shares tips for escaping rip currents after NJ, Bahamas drowning accidents

Описание: Expert Shares Tips for Escaping Rip Currents After NJ, Bahamas Drowning Accidents

August 18, 2025 – As Hurricane Erin intensifies offshore, water safety experts are warning that the ocean’s hidden dangers are already being felt along the East Coast and in the Caribbean. In the past week alone, multiple drowning accidents in New Jersey and the Bahamas have underscored the lethal risks posed by rip currents and the urgent need for public awareness.

A Call for Vigilance on FOX & Friends

Appearing live on FOX & Friends this morning, Wyatt Werneth, National Spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association (ALA), urged families to take extra precautions. “Lifeguards save lives,” Werneth stressed. “But with shortages nationwide and dangerous surf conditions from Hurricane Erin, people must take responsibility for their own safety when guards aren’t present.”

The ALA reports that beaches with lifeguards have dramatically lower drowning rates, yet communities across the country continue to struggle with staffing. The result: unprotected stretches of shoreline at the very moment conditions are becoming more hazardous.

Drownings Raise Alarm

On August 15, two cruise passengers died while swimming at Carnival Cruise Line’s new Celebration Key resort in Grand Bahama. A 79-year-old man became unresponsive while snorkeling, and a 74-year-old woman later drowned in a lagoon-style pool. Lifeguards performed CPR, but neither survived.

Closer to home, New Jersey officials confirmed several recent rip current-related rescues and fatalities. Even experienced swimmers were overpowered by the strong seaward flows, which can extend far beyond breaking waves.

“These incidents are heartbreaking but also preventable,” Werneth said. “We have to remind people that the ocean is more powerful than any of us.”

Understanding Rip Currents

Rip currents are often misunderstood, according to the ALA. They don’t drag swimmers under; instead, they pull them away from shore, leading to panic and exhaustion. With Hurricane Erin churning offshore, rip current activity is expected to spike along the East Coast, the Bahamas, and even into New England—despite sunny skies.

The ALA teaches a simple survival strategy known as R.I.P.:

Relax – Don’t fight the current. Conserve your energy.

Indicate – Signal for help by waving your arm.

Parallel – Swim along the shoreline until you are free of the current, then head back to shore.

Assigning a Water Watcher

Where lifeguards aren’t present, Werneth urges families to assign a “Water Watcher”—an adult whose sole responsibility is to watch swimmers without distraction. “Drowning is quick and silent. A Water Watcher saves lives,” he explained. For children and weak swimmers, the ALA strongly recommends U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets.

ALA’s Safety Checklist

The Association continues to emphasize five key reminders for families this hurricane season:

Learn to Swim America – Strong swimmers are safer swimmers.

Know Before You Go – Always check forecasts, beach flags, and advisories.

Stay Alert to Warnings – Respect closures and surf conditions.

Swim Near a Lifeguard – Protected areas save lives.

Assign a Water Watcher – Don’t rely on chance; designate supervision.

Final Word

“Most drownings are preventable,” Werneth concluded on FOX & Friends. “Education, preparation, and awareness are the tools that keep families safe. Hurricane Erin is a reminder that conditions can turn deadly quickly—even when the skies are blue.”

With hurricane season underway, experts stress one simple truth: respect the water, respect the warnings, and never underestimate the power of the ocean.