....Kauai Beaches- Travel Photos, Tour Maps and Beach Safety Guides...

This image illustrates how rip currents are formed. Large waves cause water to surge across shallow reefs. Near shore that volume of water collects and moves parallel to the shore until finding a deep opening in the shallows back toward the open ocean. Feeder currents come together at these openings to blossom as the rip currents "head" which rapidly moves away from the beach until it dissipates hundreds of yards from shore.

How to survive a rip current...

1. Remain Calm, do not panic. Should you find yourself in a current that's taking you away from where you entered the water. Remember that panicking will only tire you sooner.

2. Go with the flow. Do not attempt to fight the current. You will almost certainly loose that battle. Swim across or perpendicular to the current's direction.

3. Wait until the current releases you. Rip currents eventually die out as they reach deeper water. At that point the current will release you.

4. Swim parallel to shore and then make your way in. If the waves prevent your return to shore continue treading water and remain calm.