Rip Current Alert For Cape Cod, Islands

FALMOUTH, MA — A high surf advisory was issued for parts of Cape Cod Tuesday. The advisory includes a higher risk of deadly rip currents, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory was issued for the southern part of Falmouth along with Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

(Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Barnstable Patch, Falmouth Patch and Martha's Vineyard Patch.)

Rip currents are narrow channels that can pull swimmers out to sea. The easiest way to get out of one is to swim parallel to the shore. This National Weather Service graphic explains rip currents:

These are rip current tips from NWS:

"If caught in a rip current:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Never fight against the current.
• Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
• 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. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.

If you see someone in trouble, don’t become a victim too:

• Get help from a lifeguard.
• If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 9-1-1.
• Throw the rip current victim something that floats--a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
• Yell instructions on how to escape.
• Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current."

Photo: Shutterstock