With an intense rip current season, Oak Island Water Rescue provides tips to keep you safe

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC — There were three separate drownings at three different beaches in the past four days including at Ocean Isle Beach, Surf City Beach, and Litchfield Beach. They were all caused by the same thing, rip currents.  

This season the rip current risks have been “pretty high” according to Carl Mauney, the chief of Oak Island Water Rescue.  

Over the past few years, Oak Island has been working ha

rd to implement numerous safety measures including station rescue tubes and informative QR codes located at each beach access. 

He says the most important thing is knowing the beach flags before you head to the water. 

“If it’s a red flag day then you don’t get in the water. If you check and it’s a yellow flag day, then maybe you get into ankle deep or knee deep but certainly nothing more than that. You’ll be at risk of being a rip current victim. Also, if you notice it is a green flag day, bring out the family and play in the water,” said Mauney. 

Mauney adds that any flotation device such as a boogie board can save lives. Remember you should remain calm and focus on keeping your head above water if you do find yourself caught in a rip current. Mauney notes, “relax and float and you’ll survive.”