OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Four kids were rescued Friday after becoming caught in a dangerous rip current at Old Orchard Beach.
The Old Orchard Beach Fire Department told NEWS CENTER Maine they were called in for a surf rescue just after 5 p.m.
Fire officials said the children were all pulled to shore near the pier and that lifeguards jumped into action to get them out of the current.
No injuries were reported.
Following the incident, rescue crews are reminding beachgoers to stay alert, always watch their children when they are in the water, and never leave them unattended.
Rip currents are powerful underwater currents that can pose a serious danger to swimmers.
More specifically, they are narrow channels of fast-moving water that flow away from the shore and into deeper waters. Most often, rip currents are the result of the complex interaction between breaking waves, underwater sandbars, and the natural contours of the coastline.
Keith Willett, a lifeguard captain at Old Orchard Beach, said in an interview last year that around 99 percent of their rescues are related to rip currents.
Knowing how to identify rip currents, an easy and quick observation, can save you or your children's lives. If you observe waves at the beach with a flat or calmer section in between, you may be looking at a rip current. If you're unsure, ask a lifeguard!
You can also check what color flag is flying at the lifeguard posts. Lifeguards say these flags are designed to keep beachgoers informed about water conditions and potential swimming risks.
If you ever find yourself stuck in a rip current, try to remember to remain calm and avoid panicking. Swimming against the rip current can do more harm than good. Instead, swim parallel to the shore to help escape the current's pull and make your way back to safety.
So before you head into the water, always be sure to check with lifeguards about the current rip current conditions and keep a keen eye on the kiddos.