RipTides
A rip tide, or undertow, is a small but strong channel of water moving out to sea. Rip tides are characterized by darker, deeper and foamier water, sometimes with floating debris. The area where the rip is, is usually calm with a rippled surface and smaller waves.
Rip currents happen when breakers cross sand bars off the shore, the water travels back to sea through the gap in the sand bars, creating a fast "rip" current.
Causes and occurrence
When wind and waves push water towards the shore, that water is often forced sideways by the oncoming waves. This water streams along the shoreline until it finds an exit back to the sea or open lake water. The resulting rip current is usually narrow and located in a trench between sandbars, under piers or along jetties.
A common misconception is that ordinary undertow or even rip currents are strong enough to pull someone under the surface of the water; in reality the current is strongest at the surface. This strong surface flow tends to dampen incoming waves, leading to the illusion of a particularly calm part of the sea, which may possibly lure some swimmers into the area. The off-shore path taken by a rip current can be demonstrated by placing colored dye at the start of a current at the shoreline.
Rip currents are stronger when the surf is rough, such as during high onshore winds, or when the tide is low.
Dangers
Rip currents are a source of danger for people in ocean and lake surf. They can be extremely dangerous, dragging swimmers away from the beach. Death by drowning comes following exhaustion while fighting the river or ocean current.
Escaping a rip current
- Stay calm, and do not swim directly against it.
- If you are a strong swimmer, swim parallel to shore until you are past the current, and then swim toward the shore.
- If you are a weak swimmer, signal to the lifeguard and either float with the current or continue to tread water until help arrives.
Varying topography makes some beaches more likely to have rip currents; a few are notorious. Ask around when arriving at a beach about the incidence of rip tides. If no one is around to ask, assume there are some there and be cautious.
A swimmer caught in a rip current should not attempt to swim back to shore directly against the rip. This risks exhaustion.
A rip does not pull a swimmer under water; it carries the swimmer away from the shore in a narrow channel of water. The rip is like a treadmill which the swimmer needs to step off.
The swimmer should remain calm and swim parallel to the shore until he or she is outside of the current. Locations to aim for are places where waves are breaking. In these areas, floating objects are generally transported towards the shore.
A swimmer in a strong rip, who is unable to swim away from it, should relax and calmly float or tread water to conserve energy. Eventually the rip will lose strength, and the swimmer can swim at a leisurely pace, in a diagonal direction, away from the rip but back to shore.
If you are on a surf or boogie board, get on top of your board, relax, and then paddle parallel to the shore. Or simply relax, stay calm and wait for a good wave to take you out of the rip tide and in to wards shore.
Again, the most important thing is to remain calm, don’t effort and tire yourself out!
Play safe out there and have a lot of fun!!
Put your mind at ease & follow basic safety tips!
IS COSTA RICA SAFE? YES!
Without a doubt Costa Rica can be called the safest country in Central America. One of the reasons that Costa Rica continues to grow as one of the world's top destinations is because it is one of the few destinations where travelers can feel safe exploring almost any part of the country.
First and foremost Costa Ricans (whether foreigners or Ticos) are honest and friendly people. They have a saying, "Pura Vida" (Sp. "Pure Life") - and that does not brook great greed or desire to steal. Wealth is very evenly distributed in relation to North America or European countries. Simple living without great material excess is the rule, and education, health, and welfare are freely available. Abject poverty is rare, and therefore crime is reduced considerably.
Costa Rica does not have a standing army (although there are many military retirees from America here!) and has not had the strife that neighboring countries have had.
Drugs are not a big factor, either. Costa Rica is not a convenient pipeline to North America from Central America for the distribution of drugs, and certainly not the 'harder' drugs. Enough said. Many dangers over the years of Central America has saturated the minds of foreigners, which is unfortunate, because crime here is much lower than in the states. Most of this is not necessarily due to exaggeration, but rather the way the media works, producing a rather negative focus on things. The dangers of travel anywhere can be minimized by simple common sense, awareness and precautions.
THE WILDS
Be smart and safe when moving off the beaten path. Remember that Costa Rica is extremely bio-diverse, and that critters abound! Ask a guide or hotel manager of any dangers, if you feel uncomfortable.
SAFETY AT HOTELS
Hotels in Costa Rica are like any other; rich people stay there and that attracts certain types. Watch your things and make sure you lock your doors. Almost every hotel has safety deposit boxes in the room that you can easily program with your own code. Hotel attendants are very much interested in keeping their guests safe and comfortable. You can see that even though they are a laid back group of Ticos, they are hyper-vigilant
SAN JOSE
San Jose has had some problems in previous years, part of the growing pains of an ever increasing travel population. It has all but disappeared now. However, a few safety tips that you would use in ANY big city should be used...
IN CONCLUSION...
As we said, some basic safety tips and you'll have the time of your life! We hear again and again from our clients how friendly everyone is, some saying they never met an unhappy person in two whole weeks!
Beach Safety
Costa Rica's most popular attraction can also be its most dangerous safety hazard. It is of the utmost import that tourists follow basic safety precautions when enjoying the sun, sand and surf of Costa Rica's two coastlines. In addition, one should be aware of the risks that are specific to particular beaches throughout the country.
- Always swim within designated areas.
- Watch for rocks hidden just under the water surface during high tide.
- Respect the beach-inhabiting animals; some of them have painful methods of keeping humans away.
- Watch for broken glass.
-look for possible rip tides
IS COSTA RICA SAFE? YES!
Without a doubt Costa Rica can be called the safest country in Central America. One of the reasons that Costa Rica continues to grow as one of the world's top destinations is because it is one of the few destinations where travelers can feel safe exploring almost any part of the country.
First and foremost Costa Ricans (whether foreigners or Ticos) are honest and friendly people. They have a saying, "Pura Vida" (Sp. "Pure Life") - and that does not brook great greed or desire to steal. Wealth is very evenly distributed in relation to North America or European countries. Simple living without great material excess is the rule, and education, health, and welfare are freely available. Abject poverty is rare, and therefore crime is reduced considerably.
Costa Rica does not have a standing army (although there are many military retirees from America here!) and has not had the strife that neighboring countries have had.
Drugs are not a big factor, either. Costa Rica is not a convenient pipeline to North America from Central America for the distribution of drugs, and certainly not the 'harder' drugs. Enough said. Many dangers over the years of Central America has saturated the minds of foreigners, which is unfortunate, because crime here is much lower than in the states. Most of this is not necessarily due to exaggeration, but rather the way the media works, producing a rather negative focus on things. The dangers of travel anywhere can be minimized by simple common sense, awareness and precautions.
THE WILDS
Be smart and safe when moving off the beaten path. Remember that Costa Rica is extremely bio-diverse, and that critters abound! Ask a guide or hotel manager of any dangers, if you feel uncomfortable.
SAFETY AT HOTELS
Hotels in Costa Rica are like any other; rich people stay there and that attracts certain types. Watch your things and make sure you lock your doors. Almost every hotel has safety deposit boxes in the room that you can easily program with your own code. Hotel attendants are very much interested in keeping their guests safe and comfortable. You can see that even though they are a laid back group of Ticos, they are hyper-vigilant
SAN JOSE
San Jose has had some problems in previous years, part of the growing pains of an ever increasing travel population. It has all but disappeared now. However, a few safety tips that you would use in ANY big city should be used...
- don't flash large wads of money
- keep your hands on your camera, only carry it when you need it
- reduce amount of jewelry that you wear; don't advertise wealth
- don't get drunk in public
- don't walk around in secluded areas of the city at night
- don't argue with locals no matter how ridiculous, it's their country
IN CONCLUSION...
As we said, some basic safety tips and you'll have the time of your life! We hear again and again from our clients how friendly everyone is, some saying they never met an unhappy person in two whole weeks!
Beach Safety
Costa Rica's most popular attraction can also be its most dangerous safety hazard. It is of the utmost import that tourists follow basic safety precautions when enjoying the sun, sand and surf of Costa Rica's two coastlines. In addition, one should be aware of the risks that are specific to particular beaches throughout the country.
- Always swim within designated areas.
- Watch for rocks hidden just under the water surface during high tide.
- Respect the beach-inhabiting animals; some of them have painful methods of keeping humans away.
- Watch for broken glass.
-look for possible rip tides
