Beach Safety: Rips and Undertows
The ocean is a wild place. Visitors come and soon learn that knowing about sharks, jelly fish, urchins, rip tides and undertows are just as important as sunblock. Remember the beach borders a vast wild place and take precautions when you're out having fun.
Basically after a wave breaks on shore, the water drains back to the sea. When the wind and waves are light, the water drains back easily, but when the wind and waves are whipped into a fury, dangerous undertows and rip currents can form on the beach.
Strong waves can stop the beach water from draining back to the sea, so the water flows along the beach to the weakest point in the oncoming waves. Then it rushes out to the sea and creates a rip currents.
If there's no weak spot, the beach water flows beneath the incoming waves and forms an undertow. Rips and undertows can have tremendous power and easily drag anyone out to sea, so be extra cautious when the weather's rough. Remember all the energy of the incoming waves is concentrated within these dangerous outgoing tides.
Helpful beach safety information and resources for visitors to Hawaii.
• Beach Safety Tips, City and County of Honolulu
• Box Jellyfish from Honolulu Star-Bulletin
• National Weather Service Forecast Office - Honolulu, Hawai`i
• Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, Honolulu, Hawai`i
• Ocean Safety Beach Signs, City and County of Honolulu
• Sharks of Hawaii- Ten Tips To Avoid Shark Attack
Jelly Fish
If you know about 'em, you're okay, but if you think they are just soft-hearted little fellas, then you better read up before you get so brave. It's jelly fish time a week to two weeks after every full moon on southern shores. ...more
