The Pull of a Rip

Rip currents are hard to understand unless you’ve experienced one. This activity helps you get your head around them.

15 minutes
Optional: display equipment
Optional: printer
Float

People can struggle to understand the force of a rip current unless they’ve had the unfortunate experience of ending up in one. Through a personal account and physical demonstration, this activity aims to enlighten students, while teaching them essential lifesaving information about what to do if caught in a rip current.

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The physical demonstration of this activity requires space, so a clear classroom or sports hall offers the best environment to deliver this activity.

Ask students if any of them have heard of – or experienced – a rip current, before using the presentation to explain them.

The takeaway message is that the best way to avoid rips is to choose a lifeguarded beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags – which have been marked based on where is safer to swim in the present conditions.

For more information on rip currents, visit our rips safety page.

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