HOW TO STAY SAFE: Coast Guard talks rip current safety

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A close encounter on Wednesday with a rip current at Fort Fisher serves as a reminder on how dangerous the ocean can be, especially when lifeguards are not on duty yet.

As temperatures get warmer, we’ll see more people hitting the beach. While having fun is important, safety is the number one priority.

Wrightsville Beach Coast Guard Officer In Charge Lane Marshburn, who is also an avid surfer, explained a few rules if you’re caught in a rip current.

“Don’t try to swim against the current, the flow of that rip,” Marshburn said. “Try to swim parallel to the beach and keep your wits about you and then try to make your way to the beach.”

Another pro tip is to always swim with a buddy, and make sure there is people around on the beach in case something goes awry.

“If there’s a lifeguard by, pay attention to what flag they’re flying and actually just talk to them,” Marshburn added. “If you’re from out of town talk to the lifeguard about rip currents.”

Think of the beach flag color code as a traffic light: Green means go, yellow means be cautious, red means don’t go.

On a holiday weekend, there won’t be a lifeguard around to enforce it, so if your Easter plans include making a splash, it’ll be at your own risk.