Rip currents pose hidden, deadly threat along NC coast

Rip currents are a hidden and deadly threat on the North Carolina coast.

Between 2000 and 2017, rip currents killed more people in North and South Carolina then flooding, tornadoes and lightning combined.

The reason - swimmers don't know how to recognize a rip current, or how to escape.

Chief Jack Scarborough has spent 24 years rescuing swimmers along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

"Unfortunately, I seem to be there for every bad call we've had," he said.

Eight deaths in the summer of 2017 are attributed to rip currents. There have been four deaths so far this year.

"Rip currents are very common along these beaches," Scarborough said. "It's just a matter of where they are and how strong they are."

Last year, Scarborough and the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad started a series of classes. Every Monday morning, Memorial day through Labor Day, vacationers are invited to Station 35, in Buxton, to learn how to recognize and escape a rip current.

Janet Mackall brought her daughters and niece to the class after they witnessed a tragedy.

"We did watch an actual rescue happen just a couple of days ago, just down teh beach from us, and there was a fatality," she said.

Scarborough believes education is the key to saving lives this summer.

"We have not had anybody we had to rescue that has come to our class...as far as I'm concerned, it's working," he said.

Scarborough recommends swimming at beaches with lifeguards.

He warns against trying to rescue someone caught in a rip current, but rather to throw them a flotation device, and let the pros handle the rescue.

Never fight the rip current. If you're a strong swimmer, swim parallel to the shore to escape the current. Otherwise, just simply float until the current releases you, then swim back to shore