Rip Currents: The 60-Second Beach Safety Check for Monmouth Families

What Monmouth families should know

At the Jersey Shore, the days that look the calmest can still have dangerous rip currents—especially for kids who love to run in and out of the water and for adults who think “I’m a good swimmer.”

A rip current is a fast, narrow flow of water that moves away from shore. It can pull you out past where you can touch in seconds, and the biggest danger is panic + exhaustion (because most people try to swim straight back to the beach).

The 60-second “beach arrival” routine (do this before anyone gets wet)

• Find the lifeguard stand first. Tell your kids: “We only swim where there are guards.”
• Pick a meeting spot. A big, visible landmark (the guard stand number, a flag, a pavilion). Kids get turned around quickly on long beaches.
• Point out the safe swim zone. “Between the guards” is an easy family rule.
• Do a quick headcount + buddy rule. No solo swimming—especially for tweens who want independence.

If you get pulled out: the simple script to remember

If you only remember one thing, remember this: don’t fight the current. That’s the National Weather Service’s first instruction for a reason. (NWS rip current hazards)

For adults and strong swimmers

• Stop fighting it. Take one breath, then focus on getting calm. (National Weather Service)
• Swim out of the current, then back to shore. In practice, that usually means swimming parallel to the beach (along the shoreline) until you’re out of the “river,” then angling back in. (National Weather Service)
• If you can’t escape, float or tread water. Save your energy; your goal is to stay safe until help arrives or the current weakens. (National Weather Service)
• Wave and call for help. Don’t be embarrassed—do it early. (National Weather Service)

What to tell kids (the kid-version)

• “If the water is pulling you, float like a starfish and wave.”
• “Don’t try to race the ocean back to the beach.”

The United States Lifesaving Association also emphasizes: rip currents don’t pull you under—they pull you out, which is why staying calm and conserving energy matters so much. (USLA rip currents)

How to spot a rip current (what it can look like)

Rip currents aren’t always obvious, but here are a few signs lifeguards and beach pros look for:

• A narrow gap of darker, calmer-looking water between areas of breaking waves
• A channel of churning, choppy water
• A difference in water color
• A line of foam/seaweed/debris moving away from shore

Those are straight from the United States Lifesaving Association, and they’re worth showing your kids (even older kids) while you’re setting up your beach chairs. (USLA rip currents)

What parents should do if someone else is in trouble

This is the part that’s hard to say out loud, but it saves lives: don’t turn one victim into two.

• Alert a lifeguard immediately. Run to the stand and point—seconds matter.
• Call 911 if you’re on an unguarded beach. If you can, give a clear location (street entrance, beach badge booth, nearby landmark).
• Reach/throw, don’t go. If you can safely throw something that floats (boogie board, cooler lid, life jacket), do that—without entering the water.

How Love of Humanity helps

Love of Humanity is a Monmouth County charity focused on practical, family-first community education—so households can make safer decisions without needing a law degree, a contractor cousin, or hours of research time. We publish free guides like this, help families vet confusing situations, and partner with local businesses to share useful checklists where neighbors already are (like the mom groups you’re in).