Horry County Joint Information Center officials ask people to be continually aware of safety while near or in water. Authorities provided these tips to keep everyone safe:
-Know the meaning of and obey warnings represented by colored beach flags.
-Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist alongside these structures.
-Pay especially close attention to children and persons who are elderly when at the beach.
-Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
-Be cautious. Always assume rip currents are present even if you don’t see them.
If caught in a rip current:
-Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
-NEVER swim against the rip current. Stay afloat and signal for help.
-Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim
at an angle – away from the current – towards shore.
-If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
-Draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and shout for help.
If you see someone in trouble, don’t become a victim too:
-Get help from a lifeguard, or if one is unavailable have someone call 9-1-1.
-Throw the rip current victim something that floats – a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
-Shout instructions on how to escape.
The Horry County Joint Information Center will close at 3am on Monday.
