Captain Butch Arbin explains the dangers of rip currents

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The resort town has been awfully quiet this year, according to Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin. Typically, lifeguards around this time have to deal with a variety of issues, including rip currents.

Rip currents account for roughly 90% to 95% of all water rescues performed by the Ocean City Beach Patrol or OCBP. Ocean City and other resort towns experience many fatal rip current incidents each year.

Captain Arbin likes to call calm waters, lake Ocean City, on this day, but sometimes incidents can be dangerous.

“This summer we had one weekend with about 200 rescues. We had rough surf, big waves, and a lot of water coming in. That water has to make its way back out. That’s the mechanics of a rip current.”

The summer has mostly been calm and secure, yet the water’s behavior can be erratic. Rip currents are deceptive because of their rapid onset. You might be swimming and then find yourself drifting out to sea.

Often, victims become panicked and attempt to swim directly against the current. It’s not recommended, because even skilled swimmers get exhausted by the current’s pull, which acts like a treadmill.

Captain Arbin and his team emphasize an acronym known as R-I-P that might save your life.

“R for relax, no need to panic. I, as in, need help for the guards who are watching anyway, and P which means swim parallel.”

Captain Arbin hopes that beach-goers follow the rules of the beach.

“The biggest thing right now, and it’s always our saying, is keep your feet in the sand until a lifeguard is in the stand.”

Until Sunday, September 27th, lifeguards will be stationed in the stands to help those at the beach.

Ocean City releases beach conditions daily. Check it out here.